What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for Jan. 12 - Action News
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British Columbia

What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for Jan. 12

In a statement, provincial health officials announce 446 new cases of COVID-19 and nine more deaths on Tuesday.

Province announces 9 more deaths Tuesday afternoon

People run through Stanley Park last month. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)

THE LATEST:

  • On Tuesday, B.C. health officials confirmed 446new cases of COVID-19 in the province over the past 24 hours.
  • The provincial death toll from COVID-19 reached 1,019, as ninemore deaths were recorded.
  • There are 368 people in B.C. hospitals, including 72 in intensive care.
  • There are5,045active cases in the province.
  • As of Tuesday, 62,294people had received a COVID-19 vaccine dose in B.C.
  • B.C. has run out of doses of the Pfizer vaccine, but an additional shipment is expected later in the week.
  • Island Health is delivering doses of the Moderna vaccine to theCowichan Tribes, whose older members are expected to receive their first shots this week.

B.C. health officials have confirmed 446cases of COVID-19 in the provinceoverthe past 24 hours, as the provincial death toll reached 1,019.

Nine more people have died of COVID-19.

There are currently 5,045 active cases of the virus in the province. There are368 people in hospital, 72 of whom are in critical care.

On Monday, Interior Health confirmed an outbreakin the Canim Lake community east of 100 Mile House. So far, 32 cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the First Nations communitywhere, according to the 2016 census, 228 people live.

There are currently 50 active outbreaks at long-term care homes in the province as of Monday and on Tuesday the province announcedone new health-care facility outbreak at Mount St. Joseph's Hospital in Vancouver.

B.C. expecting more vaccine shipments this week

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry saidMonday thatdata from the vaccine trials showthe first dose of Moderna's and Pfizer's vaccine is 92 per cent effective and that delaying the second dose by up to a week does not diminish its potency.

She said the danger lies in delivering the second dose too soon, rather than too late, as the body needs time to build a properimmune response.

Henry said that B.C. expected to run out of its supply of Pfizer vaccine by end of day Monday, but anticipated a shipment later in the week. An additional shipment of Modernavaccineis also scheduled to arrive in B.C. within days.

B.C.'s health restrictions have been extendeduntil at least Feb. 5 at midnight.

The current orders includea ban on gatherings with people outside of one's immediate household.The province's non-essential travel advisoryremains in place, including travel into and out of B.C., andbetween regions.

Cowichan Tribesvaccinations

Doses of a vaccineare expected to arrive on Cowichan Tribes territory Wednesday and members over 65 will receive their first shot as soon as possible, according to the Island Health Authority.

The First Nationhas seen case numbers more than triple in under a week and all residents are under a shelter-in-place order until Jan. 22.

People over 65 will be prioritized to receive the shot first.

According to Island Health, the entire population of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, also located in the mid-Island region,was recently vaccinated after experiencinga surge in cases.

READ MORE:

  • The BCCoroners Servicehas confirmed that at least one refrigerated morgue truck hasbeen deployedto a site in the Fraser Health Authority region, where more than half of the province's COVID-19 deaths have occurred since the beginning of the pandemic.
  • A COVID-19 outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver has spread to three units.
  • This online calculator estimates when you'll receive your COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The mayor of North Cowichanslammedwhat he is calling fear-based racist comments directed at a First Nations community that's been ravaged by COVID-19.

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of 9p.m. PT on Monday,Canada had recorded more than 668,191 cases and 17,086 deaths.

The number of active cases stood at 82,522.

What are the symptoms ofCOVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

  • Fever.
  • Cough.
  • Tiredness.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Loss of taste or smell.
  • Headache.

But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Use the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's COVID-19 self-assessment tool. Testing is recommended for anyone with symptoms of cold orflu, even if they're mild. People with severe difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, difficulty waking upor other extreme symptoms should call 911.

What can I do toprotect myself?

  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Keep them clean.
  • Keep your distance from people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Wear a mask in indoor public spaces.
  • Be aware ofevolving travel advisoriesto different regions.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on thefederal government's website.