Tuesday December 28, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Today another 1,785 new COVID cases were reported in BC (preliminary tally).
The highly transmissible Omicron variant is behind this, as people socialize during the holiday season. People are to assume they have COVID if they have symptoms, and advise any close contacts who may have been exposed, said Dr Henry last week.
Today’s count brings the total to 243,731 COVID cases in the province, pandemic to date (since January 2020).
Higher in Island Health today:
The new cases show this distribution:
- 791 new cases in Fraser Health
- 400 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
- 269 new cases in Interior Health
- 42 new cases in Northern Health
- 283 new cases in Island Health (higher than the average over the 3-day Christmas weekend)
Three-day weekend:
During the three-day Christmas weekend period, BC reported 6,288 new COVID-19 cases (average 2,096 per day):
- Dec 24-25 2,552
- Dec 25-26 2,033
- Dec 26-27 1,713
Of the new cases, 737 new cases were in Island Health (about 245/day) over the 3-day Christmas weekend.
Close contact spread:
Christmas season get-togethers will push up numbers; public health orders that restrict the size of gatherings (including six to a table in restaurants) are in place to January 18, 2022.
Bars and nightclubs, and high-exertion fitness facilities, have been ordered closed through to January 18.
Wearing a mask that fits well over your mouth and nose is recommended. Use of the blue medical masks is recommended, with a cloth mask over top to help produce a snug fit. Or even use an N95 type mask if you can get one.
Masks that have a vent are not recommended, as that allows any viruses to be released into the air around you (potentially exposing others).
Next full update Dec 29:
The Ministry of Health will return to regular reporting of COVID-19 cases, vaccinations, hospitalizations and deaths, and cases and hospitalizations by vaccination status tomorrow Wednesday December 29.
Provincial Health Officer Dr Henry and Minister Adrian Dix will livestream a COVID update at 3 pm tomorrow.
