By Canadian Press

B.C.’s top doctor says unvaccinated 20-40-year-olds behind rise in COVID cases, 28 new in Island Health

Aug 5, 2021 | 2:03 PM

VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s top doctor says the surge in COVID-19 cases is fuelled by those between the ages of 20 and 40 who are unvaccinated or have only had one dose.

“95 per cent of people across the province of people who are infected right now are unimmunized or haven’t yet had their second dose,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said during a press conference on Thursday, Aug. 5. “All people with severe illness in ICU are people who have not yet been vaccinated. You are at risk and can spread it to people closest to you.”

Island Health announced 28 new cases on Thursday as active cases across the health authority jumped from 89 to 108. There are currently 47 active cases in the central Island region, which saw 13 new cases.

Across the province 402 new cases were found, the highest since late May, but Dr. Bonnie Henry says clusters of infections were expected.

Henry says the key is that health officials aren’t seeing widespread transmission to at-risk groups such as seniors because they have a high rate of immunization.

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She says pandemic modelling shows the Delta variant is more transmissible, which means immunization rates must go up, and even a small increase in vaccinations makes a difference.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says people aren’t obliged to get vaccinated, but warns that the unimmunized might face consequences at work and certainly if they hope to travel outside of the country.

The government’s promotion of “Walk-in Wednesday” saw more than 16,500 people go to clinics across the province without an appointment to get vaccinated, with more than 6,000 going for their first shot.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2021.

The Canadian Press