18 more people die of COVID-19 as B.C. records 2,239 new cases over 3 days

British Columbiaconfirmed2,239new cases of COVID-19 and 18more deaths over the weekend, health officials said Monday.

In astatement, the provincial governmentsaid 876 cases were diagnosed from Friday to Saturday, 657 from Saturday to Sunday and 706 from Sunday to Monday.

A total of 303people are in hospital, with 141in intensive care.

Officials said people who are not fully vaccinated continue to account for the vast majority of new cases and hospitalizations.

As of Monday, 87.7per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccineand 80.5per cent asecond dose.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are downby 1.3per cent from last Monday, when 307people were in hospital with the disease but up byabout 90per cent froma month ago on Aug. 27 when 159 people were in hospital.

The number of patients in intensive care is downby about 10per cent from 156a week ago but upby 67per cent from a month ago when 84people were in the ICU.

The Ministry of Healthsaid there are currently 6,098active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.The provincialdeath toll from the disease is now 1,940lives lost out of 176,354confirmed cases to date.

The regional breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• 857 new cases in Fraser Health, which has 2,218 total active cases.
• 525 new cases in Interior Health, which has 1,159 total active cases.
• 358 new cases in Northern Health, which has 1,165 total active cases.
• 256 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, which has 843 total active cases.
• 230 new cases in Island Health, which has 657 total active cases.
• There are 13 new cases among people who reside outside of Canada, a group which has 56 total active cases.

Thereare a total of 21 active outbreaks in assisted living and long-termand acutecare, including an outbreak atFort St. John Hospital.

School reporting to return

The province will once again be notifying parents about cases of COVID-19 in schools.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said last Tuesday that parents and teachers from across the province had let it be known they need to be better informed about the transmission of the disease.

"What we are going to do is provide that information and you are going to see it available on the BCCDC website,"said Dix.

The ministersaid that reporting system will be up and running thisweek.

Proof of vaccine required

British Columbians are now required to show a vaccine card proving they have been immunized to access many activities and services.Adults aged 19 and over also need to show a government-issued piece of photo ID.

Cards areavailablethrough the provincialHealth Gateway websiteand can be downloaded to a mobile device or printed.

Starting Monday, British Columbians will not be able to use their original proof of vaccination and will have to use the province's official vaccine card in digital or paper form.

Residents were able to use their original proof of vaccination, such as the wallet card given out at vaccination clinics, to access non-essential spaces until Sunday as part ofa transition periodto the province's vaccine card program.

Anyone who is eligible forimmunization and has not yet received their first and/or second dose can do so bybooking an appointment online, calling1-833-838-2323, or registering in person at a Service B.C. location.