B.C.’s New Year’s weekend sees thousands more COVID-19 cases

B.C. has reported thousands more cases of COVID-19 following the holiday season.

On Monday, the province announced between Dec. 31 – Jan. 3, there were 9,332 new cases of COVID-19. The three day total breaks down to 4,033 between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, 3,069 between Saturday and Sunday, and 2,230 between Sunday and Monday.

The highest number of new cases is in the Fraser Health region, with 4,859. There were 1,797 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 1,185 new cases in Interior Health, 1,117 new cases in Island Health, and 374 new cases in Northern Health over the reporting period.

There is no update on hospitalizations, or deaths, with those details set to be released Tuesday during a news conference with B.C. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry, and B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix.

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While cases are high in B.C., the province has reported significant drain on testing site resources, and those with mild conditions are urged to stay home and isolate instead of seeking out a test.

The change in direction is due to the pressure on testing sites. Many areas have seen a massive influx of demand over the holidays linked to the rise in the Omicron variant.

As well long lineups at testing sites, many of the sites had to be closed for days due to a significant cold snap and snowfall in the Lower Mainland.

Vancouver Coastal Health announced Monday that tests would resume at two of its previously closed sites: Vancouver International Airport and at St. Vincent’s.

But, “to reserve testing capacity for those at higher risk from COVID-19 at this time, people do not need to get a test if they are fully vaccinated, have mild symptoms, and are able to self-isolate until symptoms improve,” the health authority wrote in a tweet.

Vancouver Coastal Health declared a new outbreak on Monday after 10 residents at the Fraserview Retirement Community tested positive for the virus.

The outbreak is on the first floor north and second floor north of the facility.

Under a provincial health order issued on New Year’s Eve, non-essential visits to long-term care facilities are not allowed until at least Jan. 18, 2022.

Visitors are still allowed at seniors’ assisted living facilities.

With files from Kurtis Doering and Hana Mae Nassar