B.C. records 724 COVID-19 cases, two deaths
Posted August 26, 2021 4:10 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The fourth wave of COVID-19 is showing no signs of slowing down, as B.C.’s daily case and hospitalization numbers continue to rise.
The province recorded 724 new infections Thursday, with the spread of cases slowly evening out across health authorities.
Interior Health, which not long ago made up more than half of new cases, recorded 271 of the infections Thursday. That’s 37 per cent of the provincial total.
Fraser Health recorded 185 new cases, while Vancouver Coastal saw 142. Island Health recorded 64 new infections and Northern Health had 62.
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Two people who live in the Interior Health region have died of the virus in the past day.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has gone up from 139 to 149 Wednesday. Of those patients, 83 are in the ICU, up from 75.
The province says 83.7 per cent of British Columbians aged 12 and up have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 75.6 per cent have received both doses.
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This week, the province began including details about the vaccination status of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus and those who are hospitalized with it.
In the period of Aug. 11 to Aug. 24, 82.4 per cent of new cases are people who are either not vaccinated or have only received one dose. The province says 86.4 per cent of those hospitalized have the same vaccination status.
From Aug. 11-24, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 82.4% of cases and 86.4% of hospitalizations.
Past week, cases per 100,000 population (Aug. 18-24)
•Not vaccinated: 199.5
•Fully vaccinated: 24.6— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) August 26, 2021
A mask mandate was re-introduced Wednesday in B.C., requiring all British Columbians aged 12 and up to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, including on transit and BC Ferries.
On Monday, the province also announced a “vaccine passport” will be used starting Sept. 13, in order for British Columbians to access non-essential businesses. Two days after the announcement, the province said daily registrations to get vaccinated nearly doubled compared to the same time last week.
One dose will be required to enter places like indoor concerts, sporting events, movies, and anywhere there is non-discretionary activities by mid-September.
By Oct. 24, only fully immunized people will be able to attend these settings, including indoor ticketed sporting events, indoor and patio dining in restaurants, fitness centres, casinos and indoor organized events, like conferences and weddings.
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On Thursday, no new health-care facility outbreaks were declared.
The active outbreaks at long-term care facilities are at: Heritage Village (Fraser Health), Brock Fahrni (Vancouver Coastal Health), Village at Mill Creek – second floor, Nelson Jubilee Manor, Kootenay Street Village, Cottonwoods Care Centre, Brookhaven Care Centre and Spring Valley Care Centre (Interior Health).
There is outbreak in acute care at: Peace Arch Hospital (Fraser Health).
The outbreaks in assisted or independent living facilities are at: Nicola Meadows, Hawthorn Park, David Lloyd, Sun Pointe Village and Hardy View Lodge (Interior Health).
With files from Claire Fenton and Lisa Steacy
