What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for Feb. 10
THE LATEST:
Health officials announced 469 new cases of COVID-19 and six more deaths on Wednesday.
There are now 230 patients in hospital with the disease, including 66 in intensive care.
There are 4,305 active cases across B.C.
A total of 1,269 people have died out of 71,856 confirmed cases in B.C.
157,797 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including 14,316 second doses.
As of Monday, the spread of COVID-19 was slowing in Whistler compared to the last few weeks.
As the long weekend approaches, health officials are repeatedly asking British Columbians to stay home in an effort to reduce transmission of COVID-19 so that everyone can look forward to restrictions being lifted soon.
In every public statement this week, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix have asked everyone in the province to follow public health orders and advice and refrain from socializing or travelling this Family Day weekend.
"The risks from COVID-19 remain high for all of us, especially with the variants of concern, which is why staying in our local community and avoiding any unnecessary travel is so important right now," they said in a written statement on Wednesday.
"This weekend is the weekend to stay home — to show your family and friends you care by not giving COVID-19 the opportunity to spread."
The latest appeal came as health officials announced Wednesday that 469 more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed and six more people have died.
The number of patients in hospital with the disease has hit the lower total since Nov. 20 at 230, including 66 who are in intensive care. In all, there are 4,305 active cases across B.C.
There have been 71,856 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in B.C. to date, including 1,269 people who have died.
So far, 157,797 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including 14,316 second doses.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority said the spread of COVID-19 has started slowing in Whistler, B.C., compared to previous weeks. The health authority identified 43 new cases as of Monday, according to a statement.
The resort town has been dealing with a major spike in COVID-19 cases, with 547 cases of the disease recorded between Jan. 1 and Feb. 2. Young people continue to account for most of the cases, with spread happening in household settings.
On the research front, a new study is investigating how the immune systems of residents and elderly staff in Canadian long-term care facilities respond to COVID-19 infection, now that vaccinations in the homes are either well underway or completed.
B.C.-based research will examine how the immune systems of the elderly people armed with the vaccine respond to infection.
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What's happening elsewhere in Canada
As of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Canada had reported 810.797 cases of COVID-19, with 39,179 cases considered active.
A total of 20,909 people have died.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Common symptoms include:
Fever.
Cough.
Tiredness.
Shortness of breath.
Loss of taste or smell.
Headache.
But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia.
What should I do if I feel sick?
Use the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's COVID-19 self-assessment tool. Testing is recommended for anyone with symptoms of cold or flu, even if they're mild. People with severe difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, difficulty waking up or other extreme symptoms should call 911.
What can I do to protect myself?
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Keep them clean.
Keep at least two metres away from people outside your bubble. Keep your distance from people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wear a mask in indoor public spaces.
More detailed information on the outbreak is available on the federal government's website.
