By James Peters

COVID-19

Province extends ban on gatherings to Feb. 5; 761 new COVID-19 cases found in B.C.

Jan 7, 2021 | 3:46 PM

VICTORIA — Extraordinary bans on public gatherings in B.C. will continue for another month, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Thursday (Jan. 7).

The orders, first enacted on November 19, also restrict most sports activities and events.

In announcing the extension, Henry said new case numbers that have happened during the restrictions show that many people made “an exception for themselves.”

Henry announced 761 new cases of COVID-19 found Thursday, including 96 within Interior Health.

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After several days with significantly lower new case counts earlier in the week, Henry says she predicts case counts will be elevated for at least the next few days. That is due to the resolution of a lag in case reporting that is being worked out as an internal reporting process is streamlined.

The 761 new cases bring the provincial total to 56,015, spread through B.C. thusly:

• 12,886 — Vancouver Coastal (up by 94)
• 35,231 — Fraser Health (up by 484)
• 1,052 — Island Health (up by 23)
• 4,406 — Interior Health (up by 96)
• 2,338 — Northern Health (up by 64)
• 107 — Reside outside of Canada (unchanged)

Henry reported 6,349 active cases of COVID-19 Thursday, with 372 people in hospital including 74 in critical or intensive care.

Eight more people have died from the virus, bringing the provincial death toll to 970. One of the new deaths took place within Interior Health. The regional death toll is now 35.

At least 8,849 people are under active public health monitoring due to direct contact to known COVID-19 cases. The number is likely higher because of a reporting discrepancy in Northern Health.

A total of 47,374 are considered fully recovered from the virus, or 85 per cent of all recorded cases.

The number of people who have received initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine is now 41,064.

Meantime, the province is now detailing case counts related to outbreaks in long-term care, assisted living and independent living facilities in B.C.

It shows only one case at such a facility in an outbreak in Kamloops. It was found at The Hamlets in Westsyde — an outbreak that has since been declared over.

The full report, which will be updated weekly on Thursdays, can be found here: