It was another ho-hum day of COVID-19 deaths and cases with six new deaths and 400 plus cases with the spread staying stuck in these relatively moderate daily numbers. Restrictions are continuing even though psychologically many people think the Pandemic is coming to a close with vaccines but is that really the case. Health authorities continue to urge utmost caution while the public is just about had it with the virus. Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, reported a total of 469 new cases, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 71,856 cases in British Columbia.

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada

VICTORIA – It was another ho-hum day of COVID-19 deaths and cases with six new deaths and 400 plus cases with the spread staying stuck in these relatively moderate daily numbers. Restrictions are continuing even though psychologically many people think the Pandemic is coming to a close with vaccine but is that really the case. Health authorities continue to urge utmost caution while the public is just about had it with the virus.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, reported a total of 469 new cases, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 71,856 cases in British Columbia.

"There are 4,305 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 230 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 66 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation,” they said in a joint statement Wednesday.

"Currently, 6,820 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and a further 66,167 people who tested positive have recovered.

"Since we last reported, we have had 100 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 243 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 25 in the Island Health region, 46 in the Interior Health region, 53 in the Northern Health region and two new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

"To date, 157,797 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 14,316 of which are second doses. Immunization data is available on the COVID-19 dashboard: www.bccdc.ca

"There have been six new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,269 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones to COVID-19.

"We have one new health-care facility outbreak at Carrington Place Retirement Residence. The outbreak at Minoru Residence is now over.

"The risks from COVID-19 remain high for all of us, especially with the variants of concern, which is why staying in our local community and avoiding any unnecessary travel is so important right now.

"This weekend is the weekend to stay home - to show your family and friends you care by not giving COVID-19 the opportunity to spread.

"There are over 200 activities happening around the province this weekend that you and your loved ones can safely enjoy. Check out the full listing here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/celebrating-british-columbia/bc-family-day

"By choosing small and safe for you and everyone around you, we can slow the virus and keep our positive momentum going."