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As B.C. is set to remove mask mandates tomorrow, health authorities are watching for COVID-19 cases to spike before the removal of proof of vaccine policies.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry called the current moment a "transition" period.

"We may see a slight increase in cases, but I don't expect to see a jump in some of the modelling that helps us understand the potential impacts," Dr. Henry said at a press conference today, March 10.

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She said a spike in cases is unlikely because of immunization rates across B.C., adding that health authorities will be watching more closely in the fall flu season.

"A pessimistic model might be a variant that is able to evade immunity and cause more severe disease. In which case, we may need to bring back some of those additional measures," Dr. Henry said.

If that happens, she suggests a future vaccine roll-out would include a targeted approach for at-risk groups, like people living in long-term care.

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B.C. residents will remember that the mask order was repealed on July 1, 2021. That only lasted for less than two months, however, when the public health order was brought back in August.

While B.C. is lifting its mask mandates tomorrow, March 11, followed by the proof of vaccine orders in April.

Dr. Henry indicated today that various measures like masks or gathering limits may return if more measures are needed should COVID-19 transmission warrant.

Masks will no longer be required by provincial order tomorrow, but Dr. Henry said there are some settings where they'll still be required. This can include health-care settings or business and transit services that choose to keep them in place. She added the public should respect the wishes of others if some are not yet comfortable with removing their own mask or continue to keep socially distanced.

While new COVID-19 cases in B.C. continue to be found, hospitalization rates have dropped. In the last 24 hours, 336 people tested positive for the virus, with 65 in the Interior.

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In B.C., 388 people are in hospital with the virus today, falling from 405 on March 9. Four people died in the last 25 hours, bringing the COVID-19 death toll in B.C. to 2,932.

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