B.C. COVID restrictions may be eased in coming weeks as numbers decline

B.C.’s top doctor sounded optimistic in Tuesday’s COVID update, as cases and hospitalizations have been declining. Dr. Bonnie Henry says a further reduction in restrictions is being considered.

Although Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix did not announce more changes yet, they say the decrease in cases, ICU patients, and deaths may lead to some announcements in spring and summer.

“We will have continued uncertainty as we move through the summer. We hopefully will be in a good place for the next few months … to relieve some of the pressure of measures that are in place,” Henry said, adding B.C. will remove some restrictions “when it is safe to do so.”

The current measures are set to expire Mar. 16, but could be extended. Henry says unlike other places, B.C. will remain a “mask positive” place.

“We need to be prepared for immunity to wane again and for us to have new approaches and adapt depending on what we see come the fall.”

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Henry also continues to urge British Columbians to get vaccinated against COVID, and for those who are eligible to get their third dose.

“We are in a transition period but we will take it slowly and sustainably as we move into the next little part.”

Although some B.C. communities are still facing higher transmission rates, Henry says for the most part, the province is seeing a steady decline.

This week, B.C. reported a slight drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations and a major drop in ICU patients, with only 83 patients in intensive care. Henry says 47 per cent of ICU patients are still unvaccinated.