B.C. surpasses 2,000 COVID-19 deaths as it records 743 new cases

British Columbia announced 743new cases of COVID-19 and fivemore deaths on Friday. The numbers mean more than 2,000 people in the province have now died from the disease.

In a written statement, the provincial government said there are currently 5,969active cases of COVID-19 in B.C.

A total of 360 people are in hospital, with 137in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are upby around nineper cent from last Friday, when 328people were in hospital with the disease.

The number of patients in intensive care is down by one from 138 a week ago.

From Sept. 30to Oct. 6, people who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 69.4 per cent of cases and from Sept. 23, they accounted for 76.7 per cent of hospitalizations, according to the province.

The provincialdeath toll from the disease is now 2,001 lives lost out of 192,491confirmed cases to date.

So far, 7.93 milliondoses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including 3.8 million second doses.

Outbreaks and restrictions

There are a total of 15 active outbreaks at long-term and assisted living facilities. Two acute care facilities Mission Memorial Hospital and the University Hospital of Northern B.C. also have active outbreaks.

Health measures are being expanded at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia in Prince Georgeto reduce the risk of spreadingCOVID-19 after outbreaks in two inpatient units.

The Northern Health region has been struck hard by the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting more thandouble the provincial average of new COVID-19 casesand more than four times the hospitalization rateof other health regions per 100,000 people.

The Lheidli T'enneh First Nation near Prince Georgeis being restrictedto non-residents until mid-October amid the latest uptickin COVID-19 cases in the community.

On Friday, the province said the indoor masking rule would be revised to include children fiveand older, in order to better align with new school masking rulesnow in place for kids in kindergarten to Grade 3.

A Ministry of Health spokesperson said more details on the decision, including when the order will take effect, will be released Tuesday during the province's live briefing.

Provincial restrictions are also in place in the Northern Health region, as well as the Interior and the eastern area of the Fraser Health region includingAbbotsford, Agassiz, Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope and Mission.

British Columbians must now showproof of vaccination to access many non-essential places and services. Vaccine cards areavailablethrough the provincialHealth Gateway websiteand can be printed or downloaded to a mobile device. B.C. officials have saidthe system will bein place until Jan. 31, 2022, butcould be extended.

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.