Health Officials looking at phased approach to easing up COVID-19 restrictions

B.C. Health officials say they are considering slowly easing restrictions in the coming weeks.

In a media briefing today, Doctor Bonnie Henry said she is looking at what that would look like — potentially allowing for small outdoor gatherings.

“With our immunization program ramping up and our days soon getting warmer once again, we can start to look at a modified return of some of the activities that have been on pause,” said Henry.

“As part of these efforts, faith leaders have been regularly convening and we are working together to develop an approach to enable the gradual return of in-person religious services later this month. The focus is to both meet the specific needs of different faiths and ensure public health precautions are being maintained.”

Discussion on Spring Break travel will occur this week, as well.

Meanwhile, Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training, has issued the following statement regarding post-secondary education in fall 2021:

“Today, Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, advised the presidents of all public colleges and universities to prepare for a full return to on-campus education this September.”

B.C. is reporting 1,462 cases of COVID-19 over the past three days, including 102 in Northern Health.

There have been a total of 84,569 COVID-19 cases in BC.

Breakdown by day:

Fri/Sat: +545 (+ 3 deaths)

Sat/Sun:  +532 (+4 deaths)

Sun/Mon: +385 (+4 deaths)

Of the total cases, there are 4,854 active infections and 240 in hospitals.

66 people are in critical care.

11 people have died from COVID-19 over the last three days, for a total of 1391.

There was a new outbreak in Cottonwood Home in Kelowna, where the vaccine uptake was ‘very high’ according to Henry.

She notes some of the positive cases occurred in people who have received both doses of the vaccine.

Henry says this shows the vaccine alone is not enough to prevent outbreaks.

There are 18 active outbreaks in the healthcare system, including Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert and the Dawson Creek Hospital.

As AstraZeneca begins to arrive in the province, Henry says some of it will be going to Prince Rupert to deal with ongoing community spread.

It will also be sent to high-risk workplaces in the lower mainland.

So far, 333,327 doses of a vaccine have been given out, including 86,925-second doses.

“Today, vaccine appointment bookings are available for people over 90 and Indigenous peoples over 65. Appointments are available in multiple locations around the province,” said Henry.

“We have seen extremely high call volumes, and the teams are working to respond as quickly as possible. We ask everyone who is outside of this age group to please wait to call until your registration window begins.”

Health Officials reported an additional 144 cases of a variant of concern over the weekend for a total of 394.

87 cases are considered active.

Henry says the source of transmission is unknown for about 25 percent of the VOC cases, leading health officials to believe community spread is occurring.

Northern Health remains without a variant case.

VOC breakdown by region

Fraser: 303

Vancouver Coastal: 74

Island: 6

Interior: 6

“This past year has challenged us all, and we have learned that we are stronger and far more resilient by supporting and encouraging each other along the way. Let’s keep building on the momentum we have gained and continue to do our part to put COVID-19 behind us,” said Henry.

Breakdown by Region:

Vancouver: 19,647 (+407)
Fraser: 49,448 (+802)
Vancouver Island: 2,582 (+72)
Interior: 7,633 (+79)
Northern: 4,506 (+102)
Residents of other countries: 159