B.C. reports 559 new COVID-19 cases, one additional death

B.C. recorded 559 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday along with one additional death.

The new cases bring the province’s seven-day average to 506. Last Wednesday, the province’s seven-day average of daily new COVID-19 cases was 408.

2:19 Keith Baldrey on some positive news from Dr. Bonnie Henry

Of the new cases, 132 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 278 were in the Fraser Health region, 39 in Island Health, 43 in Interior Health, and 66 in Northern Health.

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 rose by 15 to 238. Of those patients, 69 are in intensive care.

2:40 Rising COVID-19 R value causes concern in B.C, Alberta, Saskatchewan

The one death, which outside a long-term care setting, brings the province’s COVID-19 death toll to 1,336.

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Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said no one has died of COVID-19 in long-term care in the last 24 hours, which is a reflection of the vaccines that have been administered to residents and staff in long-term care, which are highly effective with even one dose.

2:07 NDP government defensive about B.C.’s mass COVID-19 vaccination plans

“This is a success we need to appreciate and celebrate,” she said.

Henry said everyone 80 years of age and older will receive vaccine information in the next two weeks.

3:54 Details of B.C.’s mass vaccination plan begin to emerge

“We have not forgotten you,” she said. “These plans are in place and we will be reaching out to you in the coming days and weeks.”

More information on the rollout for people over the age of 80 will be provided on Monday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said.

There are 4,677 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. while 7,881 people are self-isolating due to possible exposure to the novel coronavirus.

1:32 B.C. officials reassure parents, students and staff after COVID-19 variants found in seven schools

Seven schools in the Fraser Valley have reported cases involving a COVID-19 variant of concern, but the province has not moved to implement a request of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation to expand the mask mandate to elementary school students.

Dr. Réka Gustafson, deputy provincial health officer, said at a news conference Monday the policy on masks in schools is based on the ability of individuals to comply with it.

— With files from Amy Judd and The Canadian Press