VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As COVID-19 continues to move through the community, there is still a high risk for all British Columbians until the vaccine is ready for everyone, the provincial health officer says after another 11 people lost their lives to the virus.
In a joint release with Health Minister Adrian Dix Friday, Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 737 new infections, with more than half being residents in the Fraser Health region.
*New cases per health region:
119 Vancouver Coastal
469 Fraser
8 Island
99 Interior
41 Northern
1 more non-resident of Canada*Will update stats later#bcpoli @NEWS1130
— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) December 11, 2020
Since the pandemic hit B.C., 598 people have died in the province from the virus.
RELATED: B.C. reports deadliest COVID-19 day with 28 deaths
“COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities and the risk to all of us remains high,” Henry writes. “This is why it is so important to follow the public health orders and to use our layers of protection until the vaccine is available for all of us.”
After vaccines arrive next week, healthcare workers at one location in the Fraser Health region and at one in the Vancouver Coastal region will be the first in B.C. to be immunized.
There are 87 people in intensive care, four more than Thursday. There are 342 patients hospitalized overall.
There are 737 new cases of #COVID19 in #BC since yesterday, six of which are epi-linked.
There are currently 342 people in hospital, 87 of whom are in critical care.
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) December 11, 2020
Outbreaks have been confirmed at three more healthcare facilities — Agassiz Seniors Community, Hilton Villa Seniors Community, and St. Michael’s Centre — and Henry noted one more community outbreak at Regent Christian Academy, a private school in Surrey. At least 30 positive tests have been connected to the school.
The outbreaks at Veterans Memorial Lodge, Amica White Rock and Burnaby Hospital ended.
“We will get through this storm by supporting each other in our shared efforts. Let’s break the chain of transmission in our province and do our part to keep our communities, neighbours, friends, and loved ones safe,” Henry writes.
