Victoria, BC (WNews Vancouver) – B.C. is reporting 1,446 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, for a total of 314,522 cases in the province and one new death. The province also extended the B.C. vaccine Card program to June 30, 2022.

There are 32,468 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 277,285 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 985 COVID-positive individuals are in hospital and 144 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

The new/active cases include:

• 508 new cases in Fraser Health
  • Total active cases: 14,715
• 309 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
  • Total active cases: 7,527
• 319 new cases in Interior Health
  • Total active cases: 7,297
• 147 new cases in Northern Health
  • Total active cases: 1,246
• 163 new cases in Island Health
  • Total active cases: 1,679
• no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
  • Total active cases: four

In the past 24 hours, one new death has been reported, for an overall total of 2,554.

Vaccine Passport Extended to June 30

On Tuesday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the current COVID-19 measures must remain in place, including the B.C. Vaccine Card program, which was initially set to expire at the end of January.

“Even now with Omicron, some people are at much greater risk of hospitalizations and severe illness, and we need to bear that in mind,” Henry said at the weekly news conference.

The vaccine passport was set to expire, next Monday, January 31, 2022.

“The B.C. Vaccine Card program is specifically designed to address and mitigate those risks (and) allow us to keep certain businesses and activities open.”

The passport system, which requires proof of vaccination for a wide range of activities, from going to the movies to dining in restaurants, is now scheduled to remain in place until June 30, unless the situation improves before then.

“As we move through this period, it will, I expect, no longer be necessary. But right now, it is one of those important tools we have,” Henry said.

While Omicron has significantly changed the face of the pandemic, rendering contact tracing ineffective because of its rapid spread and shorter incubation periods, much remains the same – including the proven benefit of vaccination, Henry said.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022, COVID19 Numbers Breakdown

Vaccine Doses Breakdown

Eligible people five and older

• First Dose: 89.6% (4,467,392)
• Second Dose: 83.6% (4,167,276)

Eligible people 12 and older in B.C.

• First Dose: 92.6% (4,291,424)
• Second Dose: 89.9% (4,166,375)
• Third Dose: 41.3% (1,912,122)

All eligible adults in B.C:

• First Dose: 92.9% (4,019,925)
• Second Dose: 90.4% (3,907,880)
• Third Dose: 44.2% (1,910,574)

Case Breakdown by Vaccine Status

Past week cases (Jan. 17-23) – Total 13,537

• Not vaccinated: 3,083 (22.8%)
• Partially vaccinated: 774 (5.7%)
• Fully vaccinated: 9,680 (71.5%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Jan. 17-23)

• Not vaccinated: 396.9
• Partially vaccinated: 200.0
• Fully vaccinated: 236.1

Hospitalization by Vaccine Status

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Jan. 10-23) – Total 1,118

• Not vaccinated: 279 (25.0%)
• Partially vaccinated: 51 (4.6%)
• Fully vaccinated: 788 (70.4%)

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Jan. 10-23)

• Not vaccinated: 71.0
• Partially vaccinated: 40.9
• Fully vaccinated: 16.9

Healthcare Outbreaks

There have been no new healthcare facility outbreaks. The outbreak at Kopernik Lodge (Vancouver Coastal Health) has been declared over, for a total of 63 facilities with ongoing outbreaks, including:

• long-term care:
  • New Vista Care Centre, George Derby Centre, Evergreen Baptist Care Society, Hilton Villa Seniors Community, Mayfair Senior Living + Care, MSA Manor, Menno Hospital, Buchanan Lodge, St. Michael’s Centre, Eden Care Centre, Lakeshore Care Centre, Baillie House, Bevan Lodge (Fraser Health);
  • Evergreen House, Louis Brier Home and Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health);
  • Sun Pointe Village, Lakeview Lodge, Hamlets in Vernon, Brocklehurst Gemstone, Heritage Square, Village at Smith Creek, Westview Place, Pinegrove Care Centre, Mariposa Gardens, Joseph Creek Care Village, Hamlets at Penticton, Mount Ida Mews (Interior Health);
  • Amica Douglas House, Eden Gardens, Glenwarren Lodge, Kiwanis Village Lodge, Saanich Peninsula Hospital – long-term care, Oyster Harbour, Dufferin Place, Beacon Hill Villa, Salvation Army Sunset Lodge, James Bay Care Centre, Luther Court, Veterans Memorial Lodge, Sunset Lodge, Sidney Care Home, Eagle Ridge Manor, Sidney All Care, Sunrise of Victoria, Comox Valley Seniors Village, Fir Park Village, The Summit, Parkwood Court, Echo Village, Mount St. Mary Hospital, Arrowsmith Lodge and Chartwell Malaspina Care Residence (Island Health)
• acute care:
  • Surrey Memorial Hospital, Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Langley Memorial Hospital, Laurel Place, Burnaby Hospital, Peace Arch Hospital, CareLife Fleetwood, Queen’s Park Care Centre (Fraser Health);
  • Kelowna General Hospital (Interior Health); and
  • Royal Jubilee Hospital (Island Health)
• assisted or independent living:
  • Crestview Village (Interior Health)