Nine more people have lost their lives to COVID-19, bringing the death toll from the virus to 1,128, according to new data from the B.C. government.
This is the lowest reported daily total of new deaths in more than a week, but it comes as the number of new infections, hospitalizations and people actively fighting illness continues to track in a familiar range.
There were 508 new infections detected overnight. That outpaced the 445 people who were deemed to have recovered from the virus overnight, and helped raise the number of people actively fighting infections to 4,479.
Here is a regional breakdown of where the 508 new cases were identified:
• 132 people in Vancouver Coastal Health (26%);
• 228 people in Fraser Health (44.8%);
• 13 in Island Health (2.5%);
• 79 in Interior Health (15.5%);
• 55 in Northern Health (10.8%); and
• one person who resides outside the province.
Nearly 89%, or 56,455 people, of the 63,484 individuals infected in B.C. since the first case was confirmed on January 28, 2020, have recovered.
Some good news is that health officials are now actively monitoring only 6,719 people, according to government data. That is the lowest total since early November.
Another 5,665 British Columbians were vaccinated overnight, to protect them from catching the virus. That brings the total number of vaccinations in B.C., since the first shot was administered on December 16, to 110,566, with 2,202 of those shots being second doses.
Health officials earlier today shared B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan.
The plan “outlines the age-based approach for immunization and population protection being used here in B.C.,” provincial health officer Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a joint statement.
“This approach will ensure those who are highest risk of severe illness and death receive the vaccine first. We need to remember our risk remains high right now, even as we protect more and more people with vaccine. We are not at the point where we can lift restrictions in our community or long-term care.”
One new COVID-19 outbreak was recorded at the North Fraser Pretrial Services Centre.
Two more hospitals have new outbreaks: Royal Inland Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital.
That means that there are now nine hospitals identified as having active COVID-19 outbreaks. They are:
• Burnaby Hospital in Burnaby;
• Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake;
• Chilliwack General Hospital in Chilliwack;
• Mount St. Joseph's Hospital in Vancouver;
• Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster;
• Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops;
• St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver;
• Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey; and
• University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George.
The eight active outbreaks at seniors' living facilities in Vancouver Coastal Health are at:
• Braddan Private Hospital in Vancouver;
• Fraserview Intermediate Care Lodge in Richmond;
• German Canadian Benevolent Society Home in Vancouver;
• Hilltop House in Squamish;
• Little Mountain Place in Vancouver;
• Minoru Residence in Richmond;
• Sunrise of Vancouver in Vancouver; and
• Villa Cathay in Vancouver.
The outbreak at Queen's Park Care Centre in New Westminster has been declared to be over.
That means that there are now only 21 active outbreaks at seniors' living facilities in Fraser Health. They are at:
• Avalon Gardens in Langley;
• Brookside Lodge in Surrey;
• Eagle Ridge Manor in Port Moody;
• Evergreen Baptist Care Society in White Rock;
• George Derby Centre in Burnaby;
• Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre in Delta;
• Hilton Villa Seniors Community in Surrey;
• Kin Village in Tsawwassen;
• Kin Village West Court in Tsawwassen;
• Madison Care Centre in Coquitlam;
• Mayfair Seniors Living Care in Abbotsford;
• Menno Home in Abbotsford;
• Morgan Place Care Facility in Surrey
• Nicola Lodge in Port Coquitlam;
• Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge in White Rock;
• Rideau Retirement Residence in Burnaby;
• Royal City Manor in New Westminster;
• St. Michael's Centre Extended Care in Burnaby;
• Suncreek Village in Surrey;
• The Harrison at Elim Village in Surrey; and
• Waterford Retirement Residence in Delta.
The two active outbreaks at a seniors' living facilities in Northern Health are at Jubilee Lodge in Prince George, and Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert.
The seven active outbreaks at seniors' living facilities in Interior Health are at:
• Brocklehurst Gemstone Care Centre in Kamloops;
• Creekside Landing in Vernon;
• Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna;
• Heritage Square in Vernon;
• Noric House in Vernon;
• Sunnybank Retirement Home in Oliver; and
• Williams Lake Seniors Village in Williams Lake.
The only outbreak at a seniors' facility in Island Health is at Chartwell Malaspina Care Residence in Nanaimo.
