Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:

“Today, we are reporting 625 new cases of COVID-19, including two epi-linked cases, for a total of 55,254 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 6,343 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 381 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 78 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Currently, 8,719 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases, and a further 46,728 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Since we last reported, we have had 178 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 305 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 28 in the Island Health region, 71 in the Interior Health region, 43 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“To date, 33,665 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. Our focus is to ensure we safely deliver the vaccines as quickly as possible to communities across the province, using all available supply.

“There have been eight new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 962 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have had two new health-care facility outbreaks at Chilliwack General Hospital and Sunnybank Retirement Home. The outbreaks at Crofton Manor and CareLife Fleetwood are now over.

“This time of year can be a difficult time for many people, and it is compounded by the challenges that come with COVID-19. During these times, taking care of our mental health and well-being is part of how we take care of ourselves and our community.

“Let’s remember that no matter how dark the days may be, we are all in this storm together and you are not alone: support is available, if you need it.

“While the number of new cases and those with serious illness is higher than any of us want, there is light ahead, and with each day that we do our part and more people get immunized, that light gets brighter.

“No one is immune to this virus, but everyone can make a difference. Connection is important to all of us, so reach out to someone who may be struggling and show them you care.

“Our individual experiences may be unique, but we are in this together. By showing kindness and compassion to those around us, it will help all of us get to the brighter days ahead.”

Learn More:

For mental health support, visit:

Mental health and anxiety support: www.bouncebackbc.ca or: www.anxietycanada.com, or: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19

The latest updates, guidance and information on COVID-19, and where to get tested, visit:

The latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and to find a testing centre near you: http://www.bccdc.ca/ or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

For provincial health officer orders and guidance, visit:

Orders: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Guidance on new restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

For non-health related information, visit:

Financial, child care and education support, travel, transportation and essential service information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19 or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

For COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority, visit:

BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coasta Healthl: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC

A backgrounder follows.