Friday April 16, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
Today April 16 was another big day of COVID news in BC. Mostly because case numbers are not subsiding, but also because the supply issues around vaccines keep shifting. Health Minister Adrian Dix is distressed about variable supply of vaccine doses.
People age 55+ can now get the AstraZeneca vaccine at community pharmacies, and people age 45+ can now register online for a vaccine appointment (age 40+ can start registering on Monday April 19).
Here is today’s Island Social Trends summary of the key points, and key quotes from Dr Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix’s written statement.
COVID in BC for today April 16, 2021:
- Supply issues have Minister Dix giving a poke to Moderna and praising Pfizer. Scheduling for immunization needs to keep changing due to supply levels and delivery dates (some of which are unknown or get adjusted with little to no warning, particularly Moderna for the time being). Fast and nimble is Dix’s goal for the BC Immunization program now.
- “Spending time outside is important for our physical and mental well-being. But we have to remember that while being outside with others is much lower risk than being inside, it is not without risk. “Even if we are outside, we need to stay small and continue to use our layers of protection. This means keeping a safe distance and wearing masks, especially if someone is higher risk for serious illness.
- “Be purposeful about who you are seeing and where you are going, and stick with the same close contacts. “If you choose to see a close friend for brunch on a patio, then make sure it is the same friend every time. If you decide to have a barbecue in your backyard, then keep to your roommates or family only. Or, if you visit your neighbourhood park with another family, then make it with only one other family and do activities that allow everyone to keep a safe distance from each other.
- “It is easy to look for loopholes, but rather let’s look for how we can keep each other safe. “We need to stay local and stay in our neighbourhoods. We need to stay outside and with our same close friends. So let’s all do our part this weekend so we can stop the spread and put COVID-19 behind us.”
- Anyone age 45 or older can register for their COVID vaccination (and age 40+ starting April 19, 2021). | BC Immunization Plan | Get Vaccinated
COVID stats | APRIL 16, 2021 | BC: (source BC Centre for Disease Control)
- Today the total of test-positive cases of COVID-19 in BC is 117,080 of which 10,081 are active (that’s a high number for BC, and higher than yesterday); that includes 1,005 new cases today (yesterday saw 1,205 new cases).
- Hospitalizations are also now quite high at 425 (up from 409 yesterday) with an equally concerning number of people — 127 (up two since yesterday) — in critical care.
- Today there are 15,877 people isolating under public health surveillance due to known COVID exposure, down only slightly since yesterday’s 16,217 tally and Wednesday’s 16,304.
- There were six more COVID deaths reported today, bringing the total to 1,530 in BC.
- A total of 1,282,091 vaccine doses have been administered in BC so far, which is 46,228 higher than yesterday. The profile of administered doses is: Pfizer 930,199, Moderna 228,796, and 123,096 AstraZeneca. Of the 1,282,091 doses administered, 87,970 have been second doses (up by 71 since yesterday). The total supply vaccine received in BC through federal government procurement has been 1,696,370 to date.
- Among children under age 10 there have been 5,828 cases in BC (up by 78 in one day), and 11,749 cases in youth ages 10 to 19 (up by 114 since yesterday).
COVID stats | APRIL 16, 2021 | Vancouver Island: (source BC Centre for Disease Control)
- Today the total of test-positive cases of COVID-19 in Island Health is 4,233 of which 555 are active; that includes 49 new cases today.
- Hospitalizations are also now at 23 (up by three since yesterday) with still four people in critical care.
- There have been 33 deaths due to COVID in Island Health during the pandemic (the last two were reported on April 12, 2021).
- A total of 200,292 vaccine doses have been administered in Island Health so far (Pfizer 147,477, Moderna 43,662, and 9,153 AstraZeneca), which is 7,113 done since yesterday. Of the 200,292 doses administered, 10,164 have been second doses (that’s just four more since yesterday). The total supply vaccine received in Island Health (via BC through federal government procurement) has been 269,330 to date (that’s 22,400 more since yesterday).
- Among children under age 10 there have been 284 cases in Island Health (up five since yesterday), and 516 cases in youth ages 10 to 19 (age by three since yesterday).
===== LINKS (provided by BC Government):
For the April 15, 2021, modelling presentation, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/modelling-projections
SPEAK Survey – to share your perspectives and feedback on the SPEAK survey, visit: www.bccdc.ca/covid19survey
For provincial health officer’s orders and guidance, visit:
Guidance on restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions
Latest vaccine information:
For vaccine information, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
Or: www.bccdc.ca
The latest updates, guidance and information on COVID-19, and where to get tested:
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 data regarding ongoing outbreaks in long-term care, assisted-living and independent-living facilities in B.C., visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#outbreak
Mental health support:
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
Or: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-supports-covid-19
Non-health related information:
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.
COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority:
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 Coastal Health: 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
