Coronavirus (COVID-19) National News

Robert Huynh/Glacier Media Digital

Robert Huynh/Glacier Media Digital

After beginning its initial COVID-19 vaccine roll-out last month, the B.C. government on Friday (January 22) unveiled in detail its plans for immunizing the province’s general population.

Mobile clinics, in-house visits and digital records are set to play a critical role for the province as it seeks to immunize 4.3 million British Columbians against COVID-19 by the end of September.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. dropped for the fifth consecutive reporting period to the lowest total since November 27, nearly eight weeks ago.

Ottawa wants to increase COVID-19 testing from 10,000 to 100,000 people a day, according to government contract bid documents released Jan. 20.

As British Columbians await the opportunity to be inoculated against COVID-19, it is evident that the pandemic continues to affect our daily lives. In the summer, the easing of restrictions allowed many residents to temporarily expand their bubbles.

The trajectory of serious COVID-19 infections in B.C. continues to point in the right direction, as the number of hospitalizations, and intensive care unit (ICU) patients, continues to fall.

Despite pandemic challenges, B.C.’s northern Prince Rupert port saw a record year for cargoes in 2020 with 32.4 million tonnes moving through the port, 9% more than in 2019.

The number of British Columbians with severe cases of COVID-19 has been falling, with only 329 people now in hospital – the lowest total since December 3.