By Canadian Press

B.C. reports nearly 30,000 active cases of COVID-19 as Omicron variant spreads

Jan 5, 2022 | 3:22 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s Health Ministry says the number of hospitalizations from COVID-19 has risen to 317 as the province deals with the Omicron variant.

The government says there are 3,798 new COVID-19 cases and a total of 29,967 active cases.

The Fraser Health authority has the most new and active cases.

The Health Ministry says there have been no new deaths to report but 83 people are in intensive care units. 

Just over 88 per cent of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 83 per cent have had a second shot and 21.5 per cent have received a booster.

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There are 21 long-term care, health-care or seniors living facilities with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks. 

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday that private companies, schools and health-care sites must all prepare for a wave of illness by reinforcing safety protocols like physical distancing to protect as many people as possible.

She said the next few weeks will be challenging as the province’s testing capacity is limited by the rapid spread of Omicron.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2022.

The Canadian Press