Victoria, BC (WNews Vancouver) – Over the past 24 hours, B.C. is reporting 2,542 new cases of COVID-19 and four new deaths.

Over the past 24 hours, B.C. is reporting 2,542 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 266,710 cases in the province.

1,458 new cases in the Fraser Health, 329 new cases in Coastal Health, 270 new cases in Interior Health, 125 new cases in Northern Health & 360 new cases in Island Health. No new cases of people who reside outside of Canada

Since Friday, December. 31, 2021, four new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,427.

There are 27,106 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 236,309 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 298 individuals are in hospital and 86 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Omicron is now the cause of 80% of the new cases in B.C. Not yet that high in Northern Health.

84% of the cases (14,924 cases) in the past week are from fully vaccinated while just 14.3% or 2,532 of cases are from non-vaccinated. Partially vaccinated makes up 1.7% or 306 cases.

45% of fully vaccinated makes up the hospitalization from December 16 – 29 while 53.3% not vaccinated makes up the remainder of hospitalization.

There have been nine new healthcare facility outbreaks at Surrey Memorial Hospital, The Residence in Mission, Czorny Alzheimer Centre, Hawthorne Lodge (Fraser Health), Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre, Fraserview Retirement Community, Lakeview Care Centre (Vancouver Coastal Health), Mount Cartier Court (Interior Health) and Victoria General Hospital (Island Health). There’s a total of 24 Facilities with outbreaks.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, 88.3% (4,399,771) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 83% (4,136,540) have received their second dose.

“It is over to the sector now. It is now me that can order them.” – Dr. Bonnie Henry (01/04/2022)

In addition, 92% (4,264,858) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.2% (4,136,309) received their second dose and 20.7% (961,014) have received a third dose.

We will be living with the virus in various forms for Years to come

Adrian Dix, with PHO Dr Bonnie Henry at Tuesday’s Press Conference, said that more than 1.5 million invites for boosters have been sent. 46% of the population will be invited by the end of this week.

Henry says case and contact tracing are no longer reactionary. “All of us need to be proactive in how we prevent ourselves from getting sick.”

“We will be dealing with a high number of people off work ill. The interruption to businesses is something we need to think more about.”

All businesses need to put in place contingency plans to prepare for closures. This includes schools and hospitals. Schools are the safest place for kids.

There are 454 people in critical care in the province. Not all COVID. The Province doesn’t have a COVID breakdown yet.

There are 710 sites right now for boosters. Pharmacy numbers are increasing by 254 this week and another 200 by mid-week. There are 490,000 appointments now open. This includes clinics and pharmacies. People can move up bookings.

B.C. will be sticking with 8 weeks for various reasons. Henry says even the first dose is really important to building up anti-bodies.

Henry says we will be living with the virus in various forms for many years to come.

On getting out of people in orders, Dr Henry says businesses and individuals are well aware now of what it takes to prevent illness. “Sectors have now have the tools from the experience we have and need to.”

Tuesday, January 4, 2022 Update:

The new/active cases include:

• 1,458 new cases in Fraser Health
  • Total active cases: 12,729
• 329 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
  • Total active cases: 8,274
• 270 new cases in Interior Health
  • Total active cases: 2,250
• 125 new cases in Northern Health
  • Total active cases: 737
• 360 new cases in Island Health
  • Total active cases: 3,113
• no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
  • Total active cases: three

The new deaths include:

• Interior Health: one
• Northern Health: one
• Island Health: two

Past week cases (Dec. 23-29) – Total 17,762

• Not vaccinated: 2,532 (14.3%)
• Partially vaccinated: 306 (1.7%)
• Fully vaccinated: 14,924 (84%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Dec. 16-29) – Total 180

• Not vaccinated: 96 (53.3%)
• Partially vaccinated: three (1.7%)
• Fully vaccinated: 81 (45%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Dec. 23-29)

• Not vaccinated: 403.9
• Partially vaccinated: 102.4
• Fully vaccinated: 325.7

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Dec. 16-29)

• Not vaccinated: 22.3
• Partially vaccinated: 2.2
• Fully vaccinated: 1.7

Current Outbreaks:

• long-term care:
  • The Oxford Senior Care Home, Fort Langley Seniors Community, AgeCare Harmony Court, New Vista Care Centre, Chartwell Langley Gardens, Chartwell Carlton Gardens, Chartwell Crescent Gardens, Guildford Seniors Village, The Residence in Mission, Czorny Alzheimer Centre, Hawthorne Lodge (Fraser Health);
  • Kopernik Lodge, Fraserview Retirement Community, Lakeview Care Centre (Vancouver Coastal Health);
  • Ridgeview Lodge, Mount Cartier Court (Interior Health); and
  • Amica Douglas House (Island Health)
• acute care:
  • Mission Memorial Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital (Fraser Health);
  • Lions Gate Hospital, Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre (Vancouver Coastal Health); and
  • Victoria General Hospital (Island Health)
• assisted or independent living:
  • The Waverly Seniors Village (Fraser Health)
• mental health and substance use:
  • UBC Hospital – Detwiller Pavillion (Vancouver Coastal Health)