By Canadian Press

B.C.’s top doctor urges people to follow COVID-19 rules on St. Patrick’s Day

Mar 16, 2021 | 5:28 PM

VICTORIA — B.C.’s top doctor is reminding the public to follow COVID-19 rules during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, while the province has again extended its ongoing state of emergency in response to the pandemic.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says in a statement that last call for alcohol sales at restaurants, pubs and liquor stores will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

There are 4,999 active COVID-19 cases in B.C. with 556 new diagnoses, including 470 in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions.

B.C. has confirmed 116 new cases of COVID-19 variants of concern in the last day for a total of 996, of which 130 remain active.

No one else has died due to COVID-19, while 280 people are hospitalized with the illness.

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There have been 424,517 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in B.C., with appointment bookings opening for people 80 and older by the end of the week.

The vaccines are “helping break the chains of transmission in our communities where we continue to see outbreaks and spread,” Henry said.

Tuesday marked the 26th consecutive extension of B.C.’s state of emergency, which allows health and emergency officials to use extraordinary powers to support the province’s pandemic response.

The Public Safety Ministry said in a statement that more than 220 violation tickets and fines of $2,300 each have been issued to owners or organizers whose behaviour contravened health orders on gatherings and events.

More than 1,200 tickets and fines of $230 each have been issued to individuals who refused to comply with direction from law enforcement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2021.

The Canadian Press