The province confirmed 414 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. on Wednesday. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID CASES

Pandemic response a ‘careful balance’ in B.C. as vaccinations near 150,000

Feb 3, 2021 | 3:36 PM

NANAIMO — Daily provincial case counts in February continue to pace just under average compared to the first few weeks of 2021.

A joint statement from the province and public health confirmed 414 new cases of COVID-19 across B.C., taking the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 68,780.

Island Health reported 24 new cases on Wednesday including 18 in the central Island Region. The number of active cases dropped to 228 with around 73 per cent on the central Island.

There is a data discrepancy between Island Health and the province, based on the timing of COVID-19 results. NanaimoNewsNOW reports local verified data from Island Health.

The number of active cases province-wide dropped marginally to 4,426. Hospitalizations decreased by 16 to 278 including 80 people receiving critical or intensive care.

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A further 16 people lost their lives as a result of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is due to update current restrictions which prohibit in-house gatherings and other activities on Friday, Feb. 5.

Wednesday’s statement said the province’s approach to date was a careful balance between protecting those who need to and keeping things as normal as possible.

“It is about being able to do some things at a moderate level, instead of completely closing most places and activities, as we have seen elsewhere. A walk with a friend allows you to see each other, to have that important connection and still remain safe.”

Dr. Henry may decide to extend current restrictions, modify them or rescind them completely.

B.C.’s vaccination program has administered 142,146 doses of COVID-19 vaccine including 6,417 second doses, primarily to health care workers in the Lower Mainland.

Small shipments of both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are expected in B.C. later this week.

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