20 more people die of COVID-19 in B.C. as 1,618 new cases recorded over 3 days

British Columbia announced 1,618 new cases of COVID-19 and 20more deaths from over the weekend on Monday. The daily breakdown of new cases over the last three days is as follows:

• Oct. 22-23: 613 new cases
• Oct. 23-24: 529 new cases
• Oct. 24-25: 476 new cases

In a written statement, the provincial Health Ministry said there are currently 4,966active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A total of 366people are in hospital, with 149in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are upfrom last Monday by six patients and up about 14.3per cent from a month ago when 319 people were in hospital.

The number of patients in intensive care is downby twofrom 151a week agoand the same number as a month ago when 149people were also in the ICU.

The provincialdeath toll from COVID-19is now 2,129 lives lost out of 202,516 confirmed cases to date.

The regional breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• 699 new cases in Fraser Health, which has 2,030total active cases.
• 289 new cases in Northern Health, which has 1,042total active cases.
• 254 new cases in Interior Health, which has 665 total active cases.
• 190 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, which has 619total active cases.
• 186 new cases in Island Health, which has 551 total active cases.
• There are nonew cases among people who reside outside of Canada, a group which has 59total active cases.

Thereare a total of 29active outbreaks in assisted living and long-term care, including outbreaks at Chilliwack General Hospital, Mission Memorial Hospital,the University Hospital of Northern B.C., GR Baker Memorial Hospital andBulkley Valley District Hospital.

A new outbreak at private health-care facilityAmica Edgemont Village in North Vancouver was declaredOct.22,after one resident and two staff members tested positive for the virus.The long-term care unit has been closed to new admissions and transfers, and visits to the unit have been suspended.

As of Monday, 89.6per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccineand 84.4 per cent asecond dose.

So far, 8.1 milliondoses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

Vaccines required, restrictions easing

British Columbia lifted capacity restrictions on gatherings across much of the province Monday, but capacity will be capped at 50 per cent inareas where vaccination rates are low, including parts of the Fraser Health, Northern Health and Interior Health authority regions.

Attendees at all organized events in B.C. will be required to wear face coverings and showproof of COVID-19 vaccination.

The day after capacity limits lift, British Columbia will require all health-care workers in the province to be fully immunized against COVID-19. The deadline for employees in long-term care and assisted living facilities was Oct. 12.

As of Sunday, restaurant and bar patrons across B.C. are also now required to be fully vaccinated and present proof of it.

Starting today,the restriction that requires customers to remain seated will be lifted, allowing people to walk around freely within restaurants and bars.