B.C. records 20 weekend COVID deaths, 90% of adults have received vaccine

B.C. recorded 1,618 new COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths over the weekend, as the province marked a milestone in its vaccination program.

On Monday, the province announced 90 per cent of all eligible adults have received their first vaccine dose, while 85 per cent have received their second. Among all eligible British Columbians (aged 12 and up), 89.6 per cent have received one dose and 84.4 per cent have received both doses.

Fraser Health continues to record the most new cases, with 699 in the past three days. It also has the most active cases, with 2,030 of the 4,966 province-wide.

Interior Health recorded the most deaths over the weekend with six in that region. Four people died in each of Fraser Health and Northern Health. There were three deaths in each of Vancouver Coastal Health and Island Health.

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The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 stands at 366, little changed from Friday’s 365. There are 149 patients in the ICU, up from 143 on Friday.

According to the province, 65.2 per cent of cases recorded between Oct. 14 and Oct. 20 were among people who were not fully vaccinated. From Oct. 7 to Oct. 20, they accounted for 77 per cent of hospitalizations.

B.C. now has 29 outbreaks in health-care facilities:

Long-term Care: Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor, Cherington Place, West Shore Laylum, Queens Park Care Centre, Heritage Village, Valleyhaven Retirement Community (Fraser Health); Amica Lions Gate, Amica Edgemont (Vancouver Coastal Health); Cottonwoods Care Centre, Overlander, Village by the Station, Haven Hill Retirement Centre, Deni House (Interior Health); and
Wrinch Memorial Hospital (Northern Health).

Acute Care: Mission Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital (Fraser Health); University Hospital of Northern BC, GR Baker Memorial Hospital and Bulkley Valley District Hospital (Northern Health).

Assisted or Independent Living: Sunset Manor, Evergreen Manor, Menno Terrace West, The Emerald at Elim Village, Swedish Assisted Living Residence, Harrison Pointe and Norman Manor (Fraser Health).

Capacity limits lifted for many B.C. venues

On Monday, COVID-19 restrictions were further relaxed in most of B.C., with restaurants, movie theatres, performance venues, and arenas once again allowed to operate at full capacity.

The easing of restrictions means guests are now allowed to mingle and do not need to stay in their seats. Venues are also now able to determine their own table limits and liquor service hours are returning to normal.

There are some health rules still in place: everyone must be double vaccinated and everyone must be masked indoors. In addition, there is still no dancing allowed, which wedding planners have called disappointing and concert venues have said is confusing.

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However, Interior Health, Northern Health, and the eastern part of the Fraser Valley remain under provincial health orders where attendance at such venues is restricted due to high COVID-19 case numbers and lower than average vaccination rates.

Events and certain non-essential settings in Abbotsford, Harrison Hot Springs, Boston Bar, Mission, Hope, Chilliwack, and Agassiz are only open to those who are double vaccinated, and even then, attendance is limited.

In the Interior, gatherings in vacation rentals remain limited to your household plus five visitors, and weddings cannot be larger than 50 people. Travel to and from the Interior remains discouraged unless the traveller is fully vaccinated.

In Northern Health, worship services must remain virtual and unvaccinated people are not allowed to attend indoor personal gatherings outside of their household.

As of Sunday, anywhere where the B.C. Vaccine Card is mandatory, such as gyms, bars, concerts, wineries, and trade fairs, began requiring people have two COVID-19 vaccines.