12 more die of COVID-19 in B.C. as 2nd mink farm confirms cases

There are582new cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia, according to a release issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, minister of health.

Another12people have died. In total, 808 people have died of COVID-19 in the province to date.

There are now8,865active cases in B.C. There are9,732 people in isolation and under active surveillance by public health workersbecause of exposure to known cases of the novel coronavirus.

A total of341people arecurrently in hospital, including 78 people in intensive care.

Meanwhile, three mink ona second Fraser Valley mink farm have tested positive for COVID-19.

The B.C.farm is currently under a quarantine order.This means no animals or material can be moved from the farm under the order.

No workers at the farm have tested positive for COVID-19, but 23animals died on the farm between Dec. 19 and 23. The farm has about 1,000 mink.

Earlier this month, mink tested positive for COVID-19 at another mink farm in the Fraser Valley, the first in the province.Fraser Health saideight people had tested positiveas well.About 200 minkdied at thatfarm.

Mink, which are farmed for their fur,are vulnerable to respiratory illnesses likeCOVID-19

All mink farms in B.C. are undergoingenhanced surveillance and testing for COVID-19.

Keep Christmas small this year

In their written statement Dix and Henry encouraged British Columbians to keep Christmas celebrations small this year. They encouraged people to spend the holiday weekend participating in "virtual activities" like a church service, concert or theatre performance, or dropping off a warm meal or treat to friends and neighbours.

"By staying small and staying apart this holiday season, we're protecting the people we care about most and ensuring the coming weeks and months are better, brighter and safer for everyone. Together, let's make this holiday season a safe season for all of us."

Other outbreaks across B.C.

There are currently 53 active outbreaks in B.C. long-term care facilities and sixoutbreaks in acute care facilities in the province.

There areno new health-care facility outbreaks or community outbreaks in the past 24 hours, and the outbreaks at theBelvedere Care Centre in Coquitlamand Queen's Park Care Centre in New Westminsterhave been declared over.

Fraser Health announced the first long-term care resident in its health authority received a COVID-19 vaccine. Andy Yoon, 77, of Abbotsford received his vaccine Thursday.

Since the start of immunizations, 8,178 people have receivedtheir first dose of the the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Also on Thursday, Northern Health announced there are now48 cases associated with the outbreak at 7 Mile Lodgein the Burns Lake areaand Little Rock Lake Lodgein the Nechakoarea. Both sites serve as worker accommodation for theCoastal GasLink pipeline project.