B.C. records 72 new cases of COVID-19 as hospitalizations hit lowest point since November

B.C. health officials announced 72 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths on Friday, with 108 people in hospital, the lowest number since Nov. 6, when 104 people were hospitalized with the disease.

The province's seven day rolling average of new cases is also at its lowest point (75) since mid-August 2020. A total of 37 people are in intensive care, down 23 per cent from a week ago.

In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said there are currently 1,096 active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A new COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in the high intensity rehabilitation unit at Laurel Place in Surrey.

Fraser Health says four patients have tested positive for the virus and that the outbreak is limited to one unit, which is temporarily closed to admissions. The health authority has notified patients and their families. 

The provincial death toll from the disease is now 1,749 lives lost out of 147,418 confirmed cases to date.

So far, 4,703,549 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including 1,167,117 second doses.

About 77.6 per cent of all adults in B.C. have received a first dose of vaccine, and 26.9 per cent have received a second dose.

Some vaccine clinics relocating due to heat

Health officials are reminding British Columbians to anticipate extreme heat this weekend, and to stay cool and hydrated.

They said mass clinics are indoors, and many pop-up clinics have also been moved indoors to cooler spots. They are urging people to double-check the location for any scheduled vaccination appointments over the weekend.

An immunization clinic in Ladysmith, for example, has had to temporarily relocate from its current location at Aggie Hall due to extreme heat warnings for the weekend and no air conditioning. 

Island Health says anyone scheduled to received their vaccine at Aggie Hall on June 25, 26, July 1, 2 and 3 will have their appointments moved to the clinic at the Cedar Community Centre, at 2388 Cedar Road in Nanaimo, about 12 kilometres away.

"Everyone affected will be directly contacted and notified by Island Health. Their appointment time and date will remain the same," the health authority said Friday in a statement.

Health officials have encouraged British Columbians to get two doses of the vaccine as soon as they are invited to do so in order to be able to travel and resume normal social interactions.

Across the province, anyone who has not yet registered to be immunized is encouraged by health officials to do so now.

British Columbians aged 12 and over can register in three ways:

• Online through the Get Vaccinated portal.
• By calling 1-833-838-2323. Translators are available in 140 languages.
• In person at any Service B.C. location.

The province is aiming to have most people receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine eight weeks after their first.