On Monday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry extended her public health orders banning public events and private gatherings in people's homes until Jan. 8 at midnight.
Henry said purpose of the extension to send the message that people shouldn't be travelling for the holidays, or holding gatherings in their homes with people who they don't live with.
"It was to send the signal it is not the time to plan large family gatherings," Henry said. "I understand for many of us this will mean celebrating the coming holidays in a different and smaller way then we're used to. As hard as this may be, remember the sacrifices we make now will protect our loved ones and others. We cannot afford, when we are this close to being able to protect people, to have another surge."
Henry did make an exception for drive-through events – like driving through Candy Cane Lane in Prince George – or drive-in drop off events, like drive-in toy drives. Drive-in and stay events will also be allowed, with a limit of 50 vehicles and requirements for everyone to stay in their vehicle.
Adult team sports, and some types of fitness classes, are also off the books until Jan. 8.
However, she said, there is also some very good news for British Columbians.
"Next week we expect to receive our first delivery of the Pfizer vaccine," Henry said. "We'll be ready to put immunizations in people's arms as soon as we can."
Henry said she expects Health Canada to approve the vaccine for use soon, and said she and Premier John Horgan will provide more details about B.C.'s immunization program later this week.
Because Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine must be stored at -80C, there will be limited places at first that have the infrastructure to store and administer the vaccine, she said. Protecting seniors – the people most vulnerable to the disease – and healthcare workers will be the first priority, she said.
But until everyone who wants the vaccine can get it, British Columbians will need to continue to be diligent and practice their COVID-19 safety precautions.
"Very recently, particularly in the last few days, we have seen a levelling off," Henry said. "This means that what you are doing every day is making a difference.
The news came on the same day Henry announced there had been 2,020 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C. since the last update on Friday. Of those, 106 were in the Northern Health region.
On Monday, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control reported there were now 356 active cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Health region. That is the highest number of active cases in the area since the start of the pandemic.
The 58 new cases reported on Saturday was a new record for the highest number of new cases in a single day in the north.
As of Monday, there were 42 northern B.C. residents hospitalized with COVID-19, including 13 in intensive care. The total number of cases in the north, since the start of the pandemic, grew to 1,084 – exceeding a thousands cases for the first time.
Throughout the province, there were 9,380 active cases and 10,747 people being monitored for potential exposure, Henry said.
A total of 349 British Columbians were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, including 77 in intensive care, she said. Since Friday, 35 British Columbians – living in every health region except the north – died of COVID-19, bringing the provinces death toll to 527.
"This brings sadness to us all," Henry said. "We know how hard it is to lose someone this time of year, and during this time of COVID."
