Thursday COVID-19 update comes from Surrey as case count inches back up slightly on the day, first reaction to Astra-Zeneca vaccine reported

The province's two top public health officials spoke from the heart of the epicentre of British Columbia's battle to bend the curve, with Doctor Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix hosting their public information session from Surrey today.

The region on the south side of the Fraser River has been struggling to reduce the impact of the coronavirus and as today's data review shows, it currently makes for close to  two-thirds of the daily reports of new cases in the province.

The impact on COVID on the communities of that region and how its residents have felt the burdens of the virus made for a good portion of the day's narrative.

Today's update also provided the first case of a hospitalization in BC following an AstraZeneca shot administered in the province. 

"Today, we are reporting 694 new cases, for a total of 133,619 cases in British Columbia. 

There are 6,802 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and a further 125,025 people who tested positive have recovered. Due to incomplete data, the number of people under public health monitoring and self-isolation requirements has not been included in today’s report. 

Of the active cases, 457 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 154 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. 

There has been one new COVID-19 related death, for a total of 1,595 deaths in British Columbia. Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19"

Across the province the Regional Health Authority's reported the following data for the day:  “153 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 445 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 17 in the Island Health region, 52 in the Interior Health region, 

There were 27 new cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Health region, the total of COVID cases reported in the Northern Health region is 7,277 since January of 2020. 

There were no new cases of COVID reported in BC today. by people who reside outside of Canada. 

The pace of vaccination continues to bring good results with 1,995,496 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines having been administered in B.C., 95,868 of which are second doses. 

Doctor Henry and Minster Dix noted of the rising rate of participation for the program

 “Our immunizations are going up quickly, and the ages for those who are eligible are rapidly coming down. Today, anyone 49 and older can book their vaccine. That will continue to decrease in the coming days. 

Our B.C. immunization committee and public health teams are actively looking at how, where and when to best incorporate youth aged 12-17 into our age-based program. Details will be provided once plans are finalized. "

Today also delivered word of a concerning reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine in the province

“We have had our first probable case of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) following an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination. This is a rare but serious condition. 

There is a test and treatment, but of course recognizing symptoms and getting treatment early on is very important. 

If you have had a vaccine – any vaccine – in the last four to 28 days and are feeling unwell, call 811 or contact your health-care provider."

With a deadline for participation looming, Doctor Henry also spoke towards the provincial survey program and urged British Columbians to make their contribution to it before the May 9th deadline.

“To date, over 192,000 people in B.C. have completed the provincewide SPEAK survey, and we want to get that number up as high as possible. Please take a few minutes to complete the SPEAK survey before the May 9 deadline on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website

You can access that survey here.

The full statement for Thursday can be reviewed here. 

BC CDC data for British Columbia for May 6 2021

BC CDC data for Northern Health Region for May 6 2021

The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.

You can learn more about the outbreak from both the Province and the Federal government from the links below:

Federal Government site

British Columbia Government site

The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.

More from  Northern Health can be reviewed here 

You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.   

Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, those past advisories  can be reviewed here.

For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee

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