No timeline to lift B.C.’s COVID-19 restrictions, province says

COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings and events will likely not change anytime soon in B.C. as the province reports a sharp rise in Omicron cases that are not expected to slow down for the next few weeks.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry explained Tuesday that based on other areas of the country and world, infections might continue to surge through January before levelling off.

“But our primary focus needs to be on keeping as much as possible open in our communities and ensuring that we have that balance that our healthcare system is not getting overwhelmed as stretched as it is,” she added.

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A rapid spike in COVID infections last month led to the province bringing in tighter restrictions affecting bars, gyms, restaurants, and indoor events until the end of the day Tuesday, Jan. 18.

The province also announced public health measures in December that limit events, family gatherings and sports tournaments until the end of the day Tuesday, Jan. 31

Over the weekend, the province reported 431 people in hospital because of the virus which is a 44.6 per cent increase since Jan 4. There are 95 people in intensive care, a 10.5 per cent increase in that same period.

Henry calls the rise of hospitalizations a “lagging indicator” as for rising infections.

She adds, out of the people in ICU care, three are unvaccinated people in their 20s and one person is in their 30s.

With the many effects of the Omicron variant still unknown, Henry says it’s uncertain how it will impact the health care system and the level of care needed in the coming weeks.

She notes many of the people in hospital are infected with the Delta variant.

“Later this month, we anticipate that we’ll have additional treatment options that will be available in B.C. and we’re preparing for that as well … there’s a number of new antiviral medications particularly paxlovid also molnupiravir that are under review by Health Canada, and we’re hopeful that those will be available.”

New: additional treatments expected later this month Dr Henry says. New antivirals.
Restrictions are likely to remain in place for a while longer.
New modelling data coming this week.#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) January 11, 2022

Minister of Health Adrian Dix reported that as of Tuesday morning 95.6 per cent of base beds in the province are occupied and nearly 25 per cent of surge beds are being used.

With restrictions expected not to be changed any time soon, Henry adds the province is also looking into safely resuming now that all businesses have put in COVID safety plans again.

In the meantime, Henry stresses the importance of getting vaccinated. People with two shots — and especially those who’ve had their booster — are much less likely to transmit the virus or get seriously sick, she says.

“One of the things that is becoming very, very clear is that this strain of the virus is absolutely mostly mild in people who have the protection that vaccination offers. But if you are unvaccinated, you don’t have that protection and your personal risk has gone up dramatically in some communities,” she said.

“The majority of hospitalizations, and in particular the majority of people who are in our ICUs needing critical care right now, continue to be people who don’t have that protection that vaccination gives by priming our immune system and the way the virus is spreading right now. People who don’t have that additional protection don’t also have the same protection from reduced transmission through community immunity — that halo protection from everybody else being vaccinated.”

Dr Henry: protection against hospitalization increases again after booster to high 80- 90%.
35/100000 for those unvaxxed vs 4/100000 for vaxxed against hosptialization.#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) January 11, 2022

Data Henry reports finds people with two shots are 60 to 70 per cent less likely to need hospital care up to six months after received their second dose. After a third shot or booster dose the protection increases to the high range between 80 to 90 per cent.

“Yes, vaccinated people are becoming infected. And the percent of vaccinated cases reflects that. But they’re much much less likely to lead hospital care, ICU care, or to die from COVID.”

On Friday, Henry and Dix will present updated COVID-19 modelling numbers along with detailed information about who is at risk in hospitals.

Restrictions that were brought into place in BC because of Omicron are set to expire in January – some on the 18th some on the 31st. Suspect that we will hear about extensions or not when we hear modelling at end of week.#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) January 11, 2022