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Henry encouraged people to order takeout from restaurants rather than venturing out, while Health Minister Adrian Dix reminded people that they should only socialize with those in their households.
“I hope that together we can make a better new year,” said Dix, “and by stopping the spread we can make 2021 a better year for everyone. Hopefully, next year, we can come together and have a normal and a very happy celebration.”
Henry and Dix announced 485 new cases on Wednesday and 11 additional deaths, bringing total COVID-19 cases in B.C. to 51,300 and total deaths to 893.
There are now 7,551 active cases provincewide. Most individuals are self-isolating at home, but 379 people are being treated in hospital, including 77 in intensive care.
An estimated 9,320 people are under active public health monitoring due to close contact with a known COVID-19 case, though Henry cautioned that these numbers are likely higher, due to a lag in reported numbers out of Northern Health.
Some 14,027 B.C. residents have now been immunized against the coronavirus. Over 60 per cent of the population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. The impending approval of a third vaccine from AstraZeneca will help, Henry said, though a mutation of the virus out of the U.K. may put a wrench in things. Thus far, public health teams have confirmed only one case of the more transmissible variant in B.C.
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