Health Notes

Preliminary figures show 9,332 new cases of COVID-19 reported in B.C. over three days

More than half were in the Fraser Health, with the second highest total in Vancouver Coastal

by Charlie Smith on January 3rd, 2022 at 4:55 PM
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      There's been another onslaught of COVID-19 cases in B.C. in the first three days of the New Year.

      Today, the B.C. government released preliminary figures showing 9,332 new infections from December 31 to January 1, from January 1 to 2, and from January 2 to 3.

      The largest total—4,033—occurred in the first 24-hour period followed by 3,069 in the second 24-hour period, and 2,230 in the third 24-hour period.

      The new cases include:

      • 4,859 new cases in Fraser Health
      • 1,797 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
      • 1,185 new cases in Interior Health
      • 374 new cases in Northern Health
      • 1,117 new cases in Island Health

      It's questionable how close these numbers are to total infections given that the province has advised people not to go to testing centres unless they have symptoms and have underlying risk factors.

      Plus, health authorities' testing faciilities have been operating at capacity since before Christmas, with long lineups outside many of them.

      "If you are younger and vaccinated and have no other risk factors, you don't necessarily need to take a test," Henry said on Christmas Eve. 

      However, Henry has consistently emphasized that people should seek treatment if they're having breathing problems or other serious symptoms.

      The province did not release any statistics on the number of people with COVID-19 who are in hospital and intensive care, nor were any statistics provided with regard to new fatalities from the disease. In addition, there were no numbers about the extent of the spread of the Omicron variant of concern.

      The Ministry of Health plans to resume regular reporting of these numbers on Tuesday (January 4).

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