VICTORIA —
Well being officers have recognized 41 extra circumstances of COVID-19 within the Vancouver Island area Thursday, because the province introduced modifications to restrictions on out of doors social gatherings.
The brand new circumstances have been amongst 569 discovered throughout the province over the previous 24 hours.
Three extra individuals have died of COVID-19 in B.C., well being officers mentioned, bringing the province’s dying toll to 1,397.
The Island Well being area has now recorded 2,654 circumstances of the virus for the reason that pandemic started.
On Thursday afternoon, B.C.’s prime physician introduced an modification to the province’s restrictions on outdoor gatherings.
Provincial well being officer Dr. Bonnie Henry mentioned that folks can now meet in teams of as much as 10 individuals whereas open air, as long as the group of 10 individuals stays constant.
“This implies your youngsters can have a playdate with your folks over the March break, however together with your similar group of mates,” mentioned Henry.
“You’ll be able to meet with mates exterior, have a chat, have a connection, have a picnic within the park together with your grandparents,” she mentioned.
Nevertheless, Henry cautioned that the province’s well being tips stay in impact, resembling staying six toes aside, carrying masks, and never sharing meals or drinks.
She additionally harassed that indoor social gatherings are nonetheless prohibited, and famous that every one different well being restrictions round companies, eating places and bars stay in place.
“No dinner events,” she mentioned. “Do not ask your favorite restaurant to host a particular occasion for you.”
In the meantime, the province is issuing a one-day restriction round alcohol gross sales at eating places and bars on St. Patrick’s Day. Alcohol gross sales should cease at eateries and bars at 8 p.m. on March 17.
“That is slowly turning the dial, it isn’t flicking the change,” Henry mentioned of the province’s reopening plans.
On Thursday, Henry and Well being Minister Adrian Dix supplied a COVID-19 modelling update.
The replace supplied promising data on the province’s vaccine roll out plan.
Well being officers estimate that the variety of COVID-19 circumstances in long-term care and assisted residing amenities dropped by as a lot as 80 per cent three weeks after most residents and staff within the system have been vaccinated.
In the meantime, modelling means that Island Well being’s COVID-19 reproductive fee, or R fee, is under 1, that means that persons are possible spreading the virus to lower than one particular person on common.
Island Well being’s R fee is presently the bottom within the province, although all well being authorities stay near the R 1 threshold.
B.C.’s prime physician says the province weathered its largest spike of COVID-19 circumstances in early December. Circumstances declined in late December earlier than rising once more in early January following holidays like Christmas and New 12 months’s Day.
Later in January, the province noticed a decline once more, till an increase began appearing in mid-February.
Henry says that the province continues to be within the midst of that upswing in new circumstances. Nevertheless, she notes that the variety of hospitalizations has remained regular and comparatively low in comparison with new circumstances, regardless of an increase in transmission.
“These curves are beginning to separate,” she mentioned.
Thursday marked one full 12 months since COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic.
Henry supplied an emotional plea to all British Columbians to proceed following well being tips because the province continues to manage vaccines.
“It has been a difficult 12 months for us all,” she mentioned, holding again tears. “However now could be the time to redouble our efforts and keep in mind to be sort to one another, as a result of that’s what makes the distinction.”
B.C.’s well being minister echoed Henry’s ideas and thanked British Columbians for persevering over the previous twelve months. “Thanks, thanks, thanks,” Dix mentioned.
This can be a creating story. Test again for updates.
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