B.C. health officials announced 542 new cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths on Wednesday.
In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix put the number of hospitalized patients at 246 people, 64 of whom are in intensive care.
A total of 1,372 people in B.C. have lost their lives to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
There are currently 4,654 active cases of coronavirus in the province, with public health monitoring 8,617 people across B.C. who are in self-isolation because of COVID-19 exposure. A total of 75,819 people who tested positive have recovered.
There have been no new outbreaks in health-care facilities.
So far, 289,809 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including 86,616 second doses.
Accelerated vaccination timeline
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says any eligible adult who wants a COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia should be able to receive their first dose by the end of July, in light of the approval of the new AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine and the decision to delay second doses.
Health officials announced the accelerated timeline Monday as the province moved into the second phase of its vaccine rollout plan.
Seniors 80 and older, Indigenous seniors 65 and older, hospital staff and medical specialists, vulnerable populations living and working in shared settings, and staff providing in-home support to seniors will begin getting their shots this month.
More than 19,200 First Nations people have received their first dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines and 5,258 have received their second dose. In total, 24,515 Indigenous people in 113 communities have received a vaccine.
But some Indigenous leaders say it’s not without mishaps, including a lack communication, racism and outstanding questions about vaccinating urban community members.
The province’s vaccination plan is focused on inoculating high-risk people and most elderly populations by April. Younger age groups will follow in the spring and summer.
CBC British Columbia is hosting a town hall on March 10 to put your COVID-19 vaccine questions to expert guests, including Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. You can find the details at cbc.ca/ourshot. Have a question about the vaccine, or the rollout plan in B.C.? Email us: [email protected]
