B.C. can ‘very soon’ look at easing COVID-19 restrictions, Henry says

As B.C. announces a change in the number of visitors people in long-term care can have at this point in the pandemic, the province’s top doctor says she may soon announce a plan to begin easing COVID restrictions.

“We can look very soon at starting to gradually ease restrictions in the weeks ahead,” Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday, adding it will not be a “flick of the switch.”

“As we’ve done previously … it will be increasing the dimmer switch, gradually turning up the dial so that we can do this cautiously and not put people at risk as we’re getting close and closer to the end of this wave.”

The current restrictions are set to expire on Feb. 16.

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Meanwhile, all seniors and other people who are in long-term care facilities in B.C. can now have two visitors, regardless of whether there’s an outbreak or if there’s some COVID in that facility or the transmission rates in the community.

Henry explains one person would have to be named as an “essential visitor” while the other would be a “designated visitor.”

“If you have two children, one of them can be your essential visitor — if they’re already designated — and you could have another person come in to be your visitor.”

NEW: Dr Henry says in long term care regardless of outbreak/transmission within facility residents can have two visitors at all times (one essential, and a designated visitor or two designated)
Unchanged – visitors must be fully vaccinated & wear PPE#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) February 1, 2022

About a third of British Columbians in long-term care already have an essential visitor. This change means it’s the same rules for all residents.

“Every single resident, at their choice, can designate somebody to be their visitor — and you can have a backup in case somebody is ill or can’t come in,” Henry explained.

Residents can also have a back up, in case someone is ill or otherwise cannot visit.

Other rules around visitation remain the same, including that visitors are vaccinated against COVID-19.

B.C. hit a record 1,048 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, which was the first time in the pandemic that figure surpassed 1,000. Of those, 138 patients were in the ICU. On Tuesday, there were 1035 people in hospital, 139 of whom are in critical care.

Comparing the Delta and the now-dominant and highly transmissible Omicron variants, Henry said Tuesday people who are admitted with Delta have a greater need for acute care, while patients with Omicron are more likely to have contracted it while already in the hospital for other reasons.

“It does look like we are at our peak of hospitalizations and this is where we would expect to be, given the modelling that we’ve been using,” Henry said Tuesday.

Dr Henry – those admitted with Delta had greater need for acute care.
Those with Omicron are more likley to pick up when admitted to hosp for other reasons & those other reasons likely to keep them in hosp longer not covid.#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/Un91NsG1qk

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) February 1, 2022

Boosters coming for teens 

Following updated guidance from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization, those between 12 and 17 years old who are clinically vulnerable or at risk of serious illlness will be invited to get a fourth dose of the vaccine.

“NACI continues to recommend children 12 to 17 years old receive a complete primary series of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, including a third dose for those who are deemed moderately to severely immunocompromised, Canada Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said last week.

“In addition, for adolescents who are at high risk due to biological and/or social risk factors, NACI now recommends a booster dose of an authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be offered at least six months after the completion of a primary COVID-19 vaccine series,” she continued.

“These include adolescents aged 12 to 17 years who have an underlying medical condition that may put them at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, including those who are immunocompromised and who have already received a three-dose primary series.”

NEW re Teen Boosters
DBH: Following NACI recommendations those who are CEV should get 3rd dose then a 4th booster and those at high risk booster at 6 months.
Information will be sent to all 12-17 year olds at 6 months to decide if they want or no#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) February 1, 2022

In B.C., all other teens in this age group will receive an invitation to get third dose once six months have passed since their second shot.

Nine more deaths reported, all in Fraser Health 

On Tuesday, the province reported that nine more people have passed away due to the virus, all in the Fraser Health region.

Health officials reported 1,236 new cases of COVID-19, although strict eligibility requirements mean most people with symptoms are told not to seek out a test.

There are two new health-care outbreaks, while five have been declared over. There are 55 active outbreaks in the province’s long-term, acute care, and assisted living facilities. Details are available online.

On the vaccination front, 84 per cent of those five and over have received two doses, while 89.9 have one shot. Of those eligible for a booster, 46.4 have received one.

With files from HanaMae Nassar and the Canadian Press