By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19 UPDATE

Province records 518 new COVID-19 cases, with decrease in active cases

Dec 23, 2020 | 4:01 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia health officials say restriction measures are starting to reduce COVID-19 transmission rates, with 518 new cases reported today in B.C (Dec. 23).

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are now 9,137 active cases, a decrease of 344 from Tuesday (Dec. 22). 348 of these people are currently in hospital, with 80 individuals in intensive care.

19 deaths were reported for a total of 796 deaths since the pandemic arrived in B.C. One of these deaths was recorded with Interior Health at at McKinney Place long-term care in Oliver.

In the Interior, there are currently 679 active cases, with 32 people in hospital and seven patients in ICU.

According to Dr. Henry, 9,689 people are under active health monitoring, although that does not include those within the Northern Health region. Data for that health authority will be updated in the next briefing.

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The new cases bring the total case count in B.C. to 48,027, spread through the province as follows:

• 11,428 — Vancouver Coastal (up 97)
• 30,559 — Fraser Health (up by 332)
• 847 — Island Health (up by 9)
• 3,340 — Interior Health (up by 49)
• 1,655 — Northern Health (up by 31)
• 107 — Reside outside of Canada (unchanged)

Dr. Henry also provided an update on the latest epidemiological modelling, which shows modest progress in reducing transmission rates. Dr. Henry notes this will only continue if current efforts to limit virus spread, are maintained by members of the public.

With news of Moderna’s vaccine approval from Health Canada today, Dr. Henry says 5,603 British Columbians across all health regions have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Dr. Henry also implemented a new order for industrial work camps. When work resumes in January, employees will have to return to the job site in stages to limit potential transmission of the virus between workers who travelled.