Vancouver Island adds 5 new COVID-19 cases; vaccine program 'accelerating'
British Columbia health officials identified five new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region Thursday.
The new cases were among 120 cases found across B.C. over the past 24 hours.
Authorities have now confirmed 146,794 cases of COVID-19 in the province since the pandemic began, including 5,145 cases in the Vancouver Island region.
One more person has died of COVID-19 in the province, health officials announced Thursday, bringing B.C.'s pandemic death toll to 1,739.
The victim was in their 80s and died after an outbreak at a hospital in Richmond, according to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Forty-one people in the Vancouver Island region have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
There are currently 83 active cases of COVID-19 in the island region, including four people in hospital and one more in critical care, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Island Health identified the locations of 55 of the active cases Thursday, including 40 in the South Island, seven in the Central Island and eight in the North Island.
Approximately 76.5 per cent of adults in B.C. have now received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 74.8 per cent of people aged 12 and older have received their first shot.
“Our second doses are accelerating with invitations going out to tens of thousands of people every day now,” Henry said.
PFIZER VACCINE SHIPMENT REDUCED
B.C.’s top doctor cautioned, however, that a shipment of Pfizer vaccines that is due to arrive in the province during the first two weeks of July has been reduced in volume.
“That is something that happens when you’re in a global pandemic with a global vaccine supply,” Henry said. “We know these speedbumps happen and, while disappointing, they’re not unexpected.”
Henry said the decreased volume of vaccines will not affect the province’s immunization timeline, adding the shortfall is expected to be rectified with a larger shipment later in the month.
The shortfall will be further offset with an increased supply of Moderna vaccines later this week, Henry said.
“We encourage everybody to get that second dose as soon as it is available to you,” Henry said.
ASTRAZENECA STILL 'SAFE AND EFFECTIVE'
Earlier on Thursday, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended that people who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should receive a second dose of an mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, instead of another AstraZeneca shot.
The advice takes into consideration the most recent evidence on the rare instances of blood clots associated with the AstraZeneca shot, as well as emerging evidence “suggesting better immune responses” when an individual receives a first dose of AstraZeneca and a second dose of an mRNA vaccine.
Henry said the choice of which vaccine to get for a second dose is still up to British Columbians to make.
“We can be very reassured that two doses of whatever vaccine you receive are safe and effective and work here in B.C.,” Henry said, adding that provincial health officials continue to monitor for the optimal timeline to receive a second dose, and whether a third booster dose may even be beneficial.
Henry stressed that the latest NACI guidance is “not definitive,” saying “there’s no wrong decision” when it comes to getting one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines in B.C.
“If you got two doses of AstraZeneca, you can rest assured you got a safe and effective vaccine and we will be monitoring the effectiveness over time and if you need a booster dose, we’ll be able to provide that to you,” Henry said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.