FILE PHOTO - Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks to reporters as Health Minister Adrian Dix looks on at a COVID-19 briefing in Victoria, Oct. 19, 2021.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Province of B.C.
January 04, 2022 - 3:51 PM
The highly infectious Omicron variant of COVID-19 now makes up 80% of positive cases in B.C.
As provincial health authorities try to roll out booster vaccine doses, more invitations are being sent to targeted populations, and many over 65 in B.C. have already received a booster dose.
"It's very clear we will be living with this virus in its many forms for many years to come," provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said at a press conference today, Jan. 4. "I'm very thankful this (variant) has shown up now. If we did not have protection in such a large part of the population, we would be in a very challenging place across the province."
Dr. Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix provided the first update of 2022 for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response in B.C.
So far, over 90% of the population over 12 years of age have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 89% have received at least two. While Dr. Henry acknowledged that data has shown vaccination doesn't entirely prevent transmission, immunization does lessen the severity of illness.
Without providing an exact number, Dr. Henry said the 80% of positive cases in B.C. are not representative of the northern parts of the province, where the variant has been less prevalent so far.
Test results across the province are, however, showing a positive result eight times more frequently now than with previous variants, according to Dix, while PCR tests are now being prioritized for specific populations in B.C. Most members of the public who show symptoms are now being directed to use antigen tests in order to reduce pressure on PCR testing kit supply.
In recent weeks, provincial health authorities have announced more stringent public health orders, including closures of fitness facilities and the cancellation of some sporting events.
"Public health orders are there as a last resort... It's about trying to find that balance of doing just enough so we can prevent that surge on mortality," Dr. Henry said. "Looking back, there's always trade offs and we try to find that balance, and we agonize over those decisions."
While some gyms are keeping their doors open and the B.C. Curling Championship aims to continue a modified operation this week in Kamloops, Dr. Henry indicated that those sporting settings can be places where transmission occurs.
"The reality is, and we've seen this repeatedly, these are indoor activities with adults in a group even wearing a mask where the risk is higher. It just is. When we have a lot of transmission in the community, gyms become amplifiers," she said.
Dr. Henry said the peak of the latest COVID wave will come over the next four weeks, hopefully sooner, allowing public health orders to be lifted again.
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