There are 79 active cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health region, including 16 reported today. That number includes 17 in the central island region, a decrease of two since yesterday, along with 42 in the south and 20 in the north. There were 803 COVID-19 tests done in the Island Health region.
There are eight people hospitalized with the virus and two in ICU in Island Health, according to the B.C. government’s COVID-19 dashboard. No new virus related deaths were confirmed in the health region.
An amended provincial public health order means businesses must cease alcohol sales at 8 p.m. on New Years Eve.
“We know alcohol can impair people’s judgment and their ability to effectively use the layers of protection required to keep all of us safe. This order, while temporary, will ensure New Year’s Eve leads to a safe new year for everyone,” said a joint statement by Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer and Adrian Dix, minister of health.
The order applies to bars, restaurants, pubs, liquor stores and grocery stores, the province said.
B.C. recorded 485 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. There are 7,551 active cases of COVID-19 in the province — down 29 since yesterday. That number includes 379 people in hospital and 77 in critical care. There were 11 deaths from COVID-19 since the province last reported. The province’s seven day rolling average for new cases is 468.
The province has vaccinated 14,027 people so far. The first Moderna vaccine doses arrived in B.C. yesterday, said Henry.
B.C. identified its first case of the COVID-19 U.K. variant earlier this week, according to the provincial government. The person lives in the Island Health region and is self-isolating.
