B.C. COVID-19 restrictions under review ahead of holidays as cases jump

A jump in COVID-19 case counts and the spread of variants of concern is why B.C.’s health minister is sounding the alarm and suggesting the province will be reviewing restrictions.

With the holiday season fast approaching, Adrian Dix said it’s vital the province “exercise caution.”

Notably, in the Vancouver Coastal Health area, Dix says this region has been seeing an increase in infections despite it — so far — being an area that has seen lower case counts relative to their population in the recent months.

“Some of this is related … to the informal social gatherings and … we’ve seen some large clusters of cases as a result of that and you see that reflected in the numbers in those places,” Dix said in a last-minute media press conference Wednesday.

Out of the 584 infections recorded in the province Wednesday, 180 cases were from the Vancouver Coastal Health region — which is a 74 case increase from Tuesday.

This is why he says the province will review changes that might be needed to public health orders.

Issues being reviews now by public health are if vax pass will be used for events of fewer than 50 people, including other situations. and @adriandix says there will be more information soon.#bcpoli @CityNewsVAN #COVID19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) December 16, 2021

Dix emphasizes that while the spread of the Omicron variant in the province is concerning, the Delta variant accounts for the vast majority of our cases in B.C.

Earlier Tuesday, Henry recommended small gatherings with vaccinated guests this holiday season.

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Meantime, there are 172 cases in Fraser Health, 109 in Island Health, 92 in Interior Health, and 31 in Northern Health.

Seven people have died in the past 24-hours. Fraser Health and Island Health recorded two deaths each. Three people lived in the Northern Health region.

The number of people in hospitals remains steady at 193, as well as 77 people in critical care.

Outbreaks at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Fraser Health and Laurier Manor in Northern Health have been declared over.

There is one active outbreak at the Ponderosa Lodge long-term care from in the Interior Health region.

B.C. outlining rapid testing plan next Tuesday

According to Dix, B.C. will be expanding its rapid test program in the new year, but he says more details will be coming on that next week.

Tuesday’s update will provide more updates “in terms of how we intend to both use those tests and to enhance them by using other tests that can be used individually, more easily by people,” Dix explains.

The province has said it will not roll out free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests before January, and the province has ordered a different type of rapid test than the provinces that are distributing tests in time for the holidays.

So these at-home test deliveries have been delayed.

The bulk of rapid tests that B.C. already has on hand — about 1.3 million — must be administered by a medical professional using a special machine and the remainder are being distributed strategically due to limited supply.

So far, Dix says, the province has used about 550,000 rapid tests which is about 35,000 a day.

Dix says the province will outline its plan regarding rapid tests on Dec. 21.

Dix repeats fed’s advice to avoid non-essential travel

Dix says he is in support of the recent travel recommendations Ottawa announced Wednesday to avoid any non-essential international travel this holiday season.

“It’s pretty simple. If it’s not necessary, don’t go. We’re seeing a very significant growth in the Omicron variant of concern across the world and in different parts of Canada,” he said.

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The Omicron variant was first detected in Ontario in late November but now accounts for 21 per cent of the province’s COVID-19 cases. There are suggestions this new variant could be the dominant strain by Christmas.

“And when you consider a very short time ago, we had not heard of it, that tells you how quickly events have been and are moving across the country and indeed across the world. And so I think the advice by the federal government with respect to travel … is pretty, pretty straightforward,” he said.

“I know that many people have been hoping to get a break away from British Columbia, at this time of year.”

He says if you're travelling across Canada, also use caution. Says Quebec and Ontario do have higher cases right now.
Says if you aren't vaccinated, definitely don't travel.

— Robyn Crawford (@robyncrawford_) December 16, 2021

Dix is also urging British Columbians to exercise caution when travelling across Canada.

“If you’re not vaccinated, definitely don’t travel. The health measures are changing in different jurisdictions and change today in different jurisdictions, and I would expect more change to follow in the days to come, and so whether you’re travelling around the world or across Canada, this is the time to exercise caution across the board.”