B.C. confirms first case of AY 4.2, strain of Delta COVID-19 variant

B.C. has recorded its first case of a strain of the Delta COVID-19 variant that was first detected in the U.K.

“This is one of the Delta sub-lineages,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry explained of AY 4.2.

She says there are now about 120 sub-lineages of the strain around the world.

“We’ve seen here in B.C. and across the west the AY .25 and .27. These were first found in British Columbia around June and now is about two-thirds of the cases that we’re seeing.”

She says “all viruses mutate,” adding new lineages are unique to geographic areas and “are really expected over time, when we have ongoing transmission in our communities.”

On Tuesday, B.C. recorded a total of 338 new COVID-19 cases, nearly half of which were in the Fraser Health region.

There are 376 people hospitalized with the novel coronavirus, unchanged compared to Monday. Of those patients, 107 are in the ICU, down from 116 the day before.

One person in the Fraser Health Authority has died.

Related articles:

• Health Canada ‘rigorously’ reviewing Pfizer vax for kids

• Pfizer vaccine approved for U.S. youth aged 5-11. When can Canadians expect the same?

• Moderna applies to Health Canada for approval of its youth vaccine for kids 6-11

Henry says the AY 4.2 mutation, which is not yet its own variant of concern, is being watched closely in B.C. for whether they are spreading more quickly or making people sicker. She adds they are also keeping an eye on whether it affects the effectiveness of the vaccine.

“So far, what we have seen and what we’ve talked about over the last number of weeks is the fact that the strains of the Delta variants that we’re seeing are spreading much faster and causing more severe illness in younger people,” she said, urging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to get the best protection.

As of Tuesday, 90.7 per cent of eligible British Columbians have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 86.8 per cent have received their second.

B.C. has received its first shipment of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Priority for the single-dose shot will be given to health-care workers who on leave for not meeting requirements under the province’s vaccine mandate.

“However, we expect that we will be getting some more in and that we will have more than we need to address the needs of health-care workers affected under the PHO order,” she added.

Younger kids in B.C. could get COVID-19 shots before end-of-year holidays

Henry says guidance from Health Canada on the Pfizer vaccine for children aged five to 11 is coming soon and there will be enough for everyone who wants it.

“This is a version designed specifically for children,” she said. “It has a smaller dose — about 10mg — in a smaller amount. That will mean less pain and discomfort with the shot. But also, it means that this is tailored for the immune systems of younger children so that it doesn’t cause as much side effects and it can be strongly effective, as well.”

Watch: Vaccination registration for kids age 5 and up now open in B.C.

Henry says if and when the vaccine is approved and they start receiving doses in B.C., they will start to contact parents who have registered their children.

“By registering now, your children will likely, we expect, be able to receive this vaccine before the upcoming holidays. I encourage parents to think about this now. Of course, there are concerns. We all want to make sure that we’re doing the best for our children and we want to make sure that these vaccines are safe and are going to work,” she said.

Henry urges parents speak to their family doctors, pediatricians, and pharmacists to help them make a decision. She also recommends people look at the BC Centre for Disease Control website for information.

The vaccine has already been approved in the U.S.

On Tuesday, Moderna submitted its application to Health Canada for approval of its vaccine for kids aged six to 11.

The department says it will now begin a review of the scientific evidence and data from the company’s clinical trials. Health Canada will only authorize the vaccine’s use for children if its independent and thorough review shows the benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks in this age group.

NEW: Health Canada has received a submission from Moderna to authorize the use of its Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 to 11 years of age#cdnpoli

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) November 16, 2021

There are 23 active COVID-19 outbreaks in B.C. health-care facilities:

Long-Term Care: Queens Park Care Centre, Rosemary Heights Seniors Village, Tabor Home, Cascade Gardens, Maplewood House, George Derby Centre, Dufferin Care Centre (Fraser Health); Amica Edgemont (Vancouver Coastal Health); Village by the Station, Brocklehurst Gemstone Care Centre, Sun Pointe Village (Interior Health); Peace Villa (Northern Health); and
Chartwell Malaspina Care Residence (Island Health)

Acute Care: Queen’s Park Care Centre, Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Burnaby Hospital, Ridge Meadows Hospital (Fraser Health); Royal Inland Hospital (Interior Health); Bulkley Valley District Hospital (Northern Health); and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (Island Health)

Assisted or Independent Living: Harrison Pointe, The Cedars and Revera Parkwood Manor (Fraser Health)

With files from Tamara Slobogean, Cormac Mac Sweeney, and Lucas Casaletto