The province is reporting one new COVID-19 death and 82 new cases in the Northern Health in the last 24 hours with 877 active cases now in the region.
Provincially, there’s been 457 new cases with 4,829 active cases in the province. Of the active cases, 390 individuals are in hospital and 155 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
Along with the death in Northern Health, there was an additional death in the Fraser Health region for a total of 2,131 since the pandemic began.
There are currently 28 active healthcare facility oubreaks in the province including two at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George and the GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel and Wrinch Memorial Hospital in Hazelton.
The province states that from Oct. 18-24, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 64.1 per cent of cases and from Oct. 11-24, they accounted for 76.2 per cent of hospitalizations.
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry also announced today (Oct. 26) that a new booster-shot campaign will begin this month, using a phased approach for those 12 and older, extending through to May 2022.
Third doses will be made available to British Columbians who have already received their second doses at least six to eight months prior.
Timing will depend on risk levels such as those ages 70 years and older, as well as Indigenous populations in rural locations, residents in long-term-care and assisted-living, the immunosuppressed and health-care workers who received their initial two doses at a shorter interval than the general population.
The Northern Health region also remains under its circuit breaker health orders, as vaccination rates in the region are low.
The health orders were announced in the Northern Health Region on Oct. 14 and remain in place until Nov. 19 and are as follows:
- Personal gatherings, both indoor and outdoor, are restricted to fully vaccinated people, including at private residences and vacation accommodation
- Indoor gathering: up to 5 people are permitted
- Outdoor gathering: up to 25 people are permitted
- All indoor and outdoor organized events require a safety plan and for attendees to wear a mask and present their BC Vaccine Card showing they are fully vaccinated
- Indoor event: up to 50 people are permitted
- Outdoor event: up to 100 people are permitted
- Worship services: virtual services are required
- Restaurants:
- Fast-food restaurants and unlicensed cafés without table service can provide take-out only or require patrons to present the BC Vaccine card showing they are fully vaccinated.
- Licensed establishments and those with table service must not serve alcohol between 10 p.m.-9 a.m. and must require patrons to present the BC Vaccine Card showing they are fully vaccinated.
- Bars and nightclubs (no meal service) will be closed
- Sport events spectators (indoor and outdoor) are limited to 50 per cent capacity, must have a safety plan, and require attendees to wear masks and present their BC Vaccine Card showing they are fully vaccinated
-with files from Tyler Orton, Business in Vancouver
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)