B.C. records 3,795 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 more deaths

B.C. health officials announced 3,795 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths on Friday.

In a written statement, the provincial health ministry said there are20,811active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirusin B.C.

A total of 220 people are in hospital, including 73 in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are upby 15 per cent from last Friday when 192people were in hospital with the disease and down by about 27 per cent from a month ago when 300people were in hospital.

The number of patients in intensive care is upby about threeper cent from 71a week ago and down by 30 per cent from a month ago when 104 people were in the ICU.

The provincialdeath toll from the disease is now 2,423 out of 254,849 confirmed cases to date.

The regional breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• 1,944 new cases in Fraser Health, which has 9,050 total active cases.
• 965 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, which has 7,135total active cases.
• 434new cases in Island Health, which has 2,336 total active cases.
• 320new cases in Interior Health, which has 1,792total active cases.
• 129new cases in Northern Health, which has 494 total active cases.
• Three new cases among people who reside outside Canada, a group with fouractive cases.

There are at least 15 active outbreaks at long-term care, acute care, and assisted living facilities. On Saturday, Vancouver Coastal Health added to that total in announcing outbreaks at three separate facilities.

As of Friday, 92per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccine, 89.2per cent asecond dose, and 19.6per cent a third dose.

When taking into accountthose five and older, 88.1per cent of people in B.C. had received a first shot and 82.9per cent a second dose.

From Dec. 23 to 29, people who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 16 per cent of cases and from Dec. 16 to 29,they accounted for 55 per cent of hospitalizations, according to the province.

New isolation rules

Also on Friday at a provincial news conference Henry announced thatthe requirement to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19 is being reduced to five days for those without symptoms.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says people must wear a mask around others for an additional five days after leaving self-isolation, which is dependent on being free of symptoms.

People who haven't been vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days. Previously, vaccinated people were required to isolate for seven days.

The change was one of several announced on Friday morning at the final update on the pandemic in the province for 2021. Henry was joined by Dix and executive lead of B.C.'s COVID-19 Immunization Program, Dr. Penny Ballem, in Vancouver.

Starting Saturday, visits to long-term carefacilities will also be limited to essential visitors in response to recent outbreaks.

Starting in the new year the province will also be moving to an interval-based booster campaign in order toget everyone a booster shot about six months after their second COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of age.