Thanksgiving gatherings need to be small, with fully vaccinated guests: Dr. Henry

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – While you can still stuff your turkey this Thanksgiving, B.C.’s top doctor is urging you not to stuff your home with unvaccinated guests.

As the Delta COVID-19 variant continues to spread, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is pleading with people who may have big plans to reconsider.

“Please keep your groups small this year. Remember what we are seeing in our communities right now,” she said Tuesday.

Heading into Thanksgiving DBH says please keep your group small.
If someone’s immune compromised make sure everyone there is fully vaccinated.
Delta strain is not only more transmissible but causing serious illness even in younger ppl.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 @CityNewsVAN #covid19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) October 5, 2021

While gatherings are not off the table, despite B.C. reporting hundreds of new cases each day, Henry says those who are set to have family and friends over this Thanksgiving need to ensure they are taking the proper precautions.

“In particular if you have older family members or anyone who is immune-compromised who is planning to attend, make sure everybody who is there is fully vaccinated. That’s what you can do to protect yourself, and protect those you are closest to,” she said.

“We want to make sure these gatherings are happy occurrences and not a cause for virus transmission and illness in the coming weeks.”

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Even if everyone on your guestlist is fully vaccinated, Henry says that doesn’t go far enough to keeping everyone safe. She says limiting the number of people who are going to be spending time together indoors is key, especially with trends we are seeing, both locally and across the country.

“We’ve learned that this virus, especially the strain that we’re seeing causing illness here in B.C. right now and across Canada, the Delta strain, not only is way more transmissible, but it is causing more severe illness in younger people,” she explained.

On Tuesday, the province reported 593 new cases of COVID-19. No new deaths were recorded.

Meanwhile, the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 continues to rise.

Henry’s plea for people to keep their Thanksgiving gatherings small is not a far cry from her ask of British Columbians this time last year. In 2020, Henry also urged people to keep their gatherings small. The difference between this year and the last is the addition of vaccines, as well as the Delta strain, which has thrown a significant wrench in countries’ efforts to stamp out COVID-19.

“We can give thanks and continue to find new and safe ways to support each other and show we care,” she said last year. “Support your family by keeping your celebration dinner small.”