COVID-19 in B.C.: Over 2,400 new cases; active cases decrease; hospitalizations increase; 73 flights; and more

by Craig Takeuchi on September 7th, 2021 at 5:55 PM

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There are some encouraging signs that B.C. may have begun to shift toward the overall right direction in reducing COVID-19 cases.

Although the numbers of new cases remained relatively high, none exceeded the 700 mark.

Active cases have decreased since September 3 and in all regions except one: Northern Health, where new health measures were announced for that region on September 2 due to a sudden surge of cases.

Despite these promising indications, however, there remain several areas of concern.

An ongoing increase in hospitalized cases remains troubling, as well as a tragic number of deaths over the weekend.

In addition, Interior Health still has the most number of new and active cases.

Earlier today, B.C. Premier John Horgan, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided more specific details about the B.C. Vaccine Card program, which takes effect on September 13.

B.C. update: September 3 to 7

From the past four-day period, the B.C. Health Ministry is reporting a total of 2,425 new COVID-19 cases (including five epi-linked cases). That total includes:

September 3 to 4: 695 new cases;
September 4 to 5: 634 new cases;
September 5 to 6: 563 new cases;
September 6 to 7: 533 new cases.

Currently, there are 5,465 active cases, which is a decrease of 407 cases since September 3.

As of today, there are 255 individuals are in hospital, which is an increase of 40 patients since September 3, and 126 of those patients are in intensive care units (an increase of eight people since September 3).

The new and active cases include:

838 new cases in Interior Health, with 1,714 total active cases (a decrease of 251 cases since September 3);
705 new cases in Fraser Health, with 1,530 total active cases (159 fewer cases);
368 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, with 1,010 total active cases (67 fewer cases);
312 new cases in Northern Health, with 703 total active cases (108 more cases);
202 new cases in Island Health, with 501 total active cases (38 fewer cases);
no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada, with seven total active cases (same number as September 3).

Over the past four days, 15 new deaths have been reported, which brings the overall total number of fatalities to 1,842 people who have died of COVID-19-related reasons.

The new deaths include:

two people in Vancouver Coastal Health;
three people in Fraser Health;
four people in Island Health;
six people in Interior Health.

With 2,794 recoveries since September 3, an overall total of 163,062 people who tested positive have now recovered.

During the pandemic, B.C. has recorded a total of 170,750 COVID-19 cases.

B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry

Province of British Columbia

Vaccinations

Since December, B.C. has administered 7,545,871 doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines.

As of today, 85.1 percent (3,943,729) of eligible people 12 and older have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 77.6 percent (3,594,929) received their second dose.

In addition, 85.7 percent (3,706,533) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 78.5 percent (3,394,910) received their second dose.

Outbreaks and exposures

Northern Health has declared an outbreak at Jubilee Lodge in Prince George on September 5, where 18 residents (two of whom are epi-linked) and one staff member have now tested positive as of today.

In addition, healthcare facility outbreaks have been declared at Louis Brier Home and Hospital in Vancouver (Vancouver Coastal Health), and The Hamlets at Westsyde in Kamloops and Joseph Creek Care Village in Cranbrook (both in Interior Health).

The outbreaks at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock and Heritage Village in Chilliwack (both in Fraser Health), and at Hawthorn Park in Kelowna (Interior Health) have been declared over.

Currently, there is a total of 22 active outbreaks, including:

longterm care: Northcrest Care Centre, Menno Home (Fraser Health); Arbutus Care Centre, Brock Fahrni, Louis Brier Home and Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health); Village at Mill Creek, Cottonwoods Care Centre, Brookhaven Care Centre, Spring Valley Care Centre, Kamloops Seniors Village, Hillside Village, The Hamlets at Westsyde, Joseph Creek Care Village (Interior Health); Jubilee Lodge (Northern Health); and Sunset Lodge (Island Health).
acute care: Chilliwack General Hospital (Fraser Health); and Fort St. John Hospital (Northern Health);
assisted or independent living: Nicola Meadows, David Lloyd Jones, Sun Pointe Village, Hardy View Lodge, and Rose Woods Village (Interior Health).

None of the five regional health authorities listed any new community outbreaks, business closures, or public exposure events.

Over the weekend, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) added the following 73 flights to its lists of potential public exposures (affected row information is listed at the BCCDC website when available):