Tuesday April 6, 2021 | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC [Updated April 7, 2021]
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
After the four-day Easter long weekend, the mention of the record-breaking new-case numbers of recent days by Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry was not dramatic today April 6, in her first livestreamed media session since April 1.
Along with Health Minister Adrian Dix, she pushed on with information about variants of concern and the popularity of the new online vaccination registration system.
Both of them did their best to politely ask people to adhere to the rules — stay home as much as possible (including no non-essential travel), don’t take part in social gatherings, always wear a mask in any indoor situation, stay home if you feel unwell, and so on).
And while the messaging is critically important, the pleas are strained and tired… perhaps matching the mood of the audience that they are intended for — everyone in BC is likely quite tired of all the pandemic strains, stresses and challenges.
“People are having more contacts now than a few months ago,” said Dr Henry. This is disappointing all the way around, as certainly interpersonal contact is the opportunity for the COVID-19 virus to spread.
Minister Dix continues to emphasize the readiness of the acute-care health-care system. “If you need hospital care, it’s there for you,” he said today.
Day-One success for the “Get Vaccinated” portal:
Dix thanked the teams that have made possible the launch of the online “Get Vaccinated” registration process, which by 2 pm had received 160,464 registrations and 23,827 appointments were booked. By 7 pm those numbers were up to 255,870 registrations and 35,268 bookings.
Appointments are currently open to people age 71 years of age and older, to Indigenous people age 18+, and to those who have received an official letter giving the status as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’.
That level of vaccination “shows the commitment of people in BC in getting the vaccine”, said Dix.
BC COVID stats at April 6:
Total cases in BC to date is 105,988 of which 8,671 are active. There were 1,068 new cases today (on the tail of 1,018 April 1 to 2; 1,072 April 2 to 3; 999 April 3 to 4; and 890 April 4 to 5).
A record-breaking number of people — 14,118 (approximately, for example, the entire population of the town of Sooke) — are isolating due to known exposure.
Of BC’s active cases, 266 cases have been caused by one of the variants of concern (VOC). To date there have been 3,766 VOC cases in BC, a number that is rising steadily. Today there were 207 cases added to the provincial total of VOC’s which is comprised of:
- B.1.17 (UK): 2,838 – now comprises 60% of all new cases
- B.1.351 (South Africa): 51 – not too many new cases
- P.1 (Brazil): 877 – found mostly in Vancouver Coastal
There are 328 people in hospital with COVID-19, with 96 of those in ICU. Hospitalizations to date stand at 5,495.
Another three deaths were reported today, bringing the total to 1,489 in BC, pandemic-to-date.
The positivity rate is also at a new top level at 10.2%.
Pandemic to date (now over a year), 5,078 children under the age of 10 have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as 10,518 youth and teens (age 10 to 19 years).
Vancouver Island COVID stats at April 6:
Total cases in Island Health to date is 3,682 of which 585 are active. There were 73 new cases today.
Regionally, the lead in active cases previously in central Vancouver Island is now seen in the south Vancouver Island region, according to the Island Health COVID-19 dashboard today: 254 south, 182 central, 27 north.
There are 17 people in hospital in Island Health with COVID-19, with four of those in ICU. Hospitalizations to date stand at 179.
As of today the death tally pandemic-to-date in Island Health is 31. The last death prior to today’s report was reported on March 29.
The positivity rate is also at a new top level on Vancouver Island at 5.7%.
During the pandemic to date (now over a year), 243 children under the age of 10 have tested positive for COVID-19 in Island Health, as well as 444 youth and teens (age 10 to 19 years).
