With vaccine numbers rising and COVID-19 cases shrinking, BC is poised for a great Restart, which begins on July 1. While caution is still necessary given the dangerous variants out there, health officials see smooth sailing ahead. Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, reported that 77.2% of all adults in B.C. and 75.8% of those 12 and older have now received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, 24.3% of all adults in B.C. and 22.7% of those 12 and older have received their second dose. In total, 4,570,153 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 1,051,910 of which are second doses.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – With vaccine numbers rising and COVID-19 cases shrinking, BC is poised for a great Restart, which begins on July 1. While caution is still necessary given the dangerous variants out there but health officials see smooth sailing ahead.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, reported that 77.2% of all adults in B.C. and 75.8% of those 12 and older have now received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, 24.3% of all adults in B.C. and 22.7% of those 12 and older have received their second dose. In total, 4,570,153 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 1,051,910 of which are second doses.

There have been 87 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 147,271 cases in British Columbia.

"Please note there are data corrections in both the total cases (removing three previously reported cases) and percentage immunized to correct some second doses that had been incorrectly classified as first doses,” they said in a joint statement.

"Of the new cases, 13 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 30 are in the Fraser Health region, three are in the Island Health region and 41 are in the Interior Health region. There are no new cases in the Northern Health region.

"There are currently 1,119 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. A further 144,383 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 109 individuals are currently hospitalized, 41 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"There are two new health-care outbreaks at Minoru Residence and Hollyburn House (Vancouver Coastal).

"There has been one new COVID-19 related death, for a total of 1,744 deaths in British Columbia. Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19.

"Our vaccines are safe and highly effective. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca are all helping to significantly reduce the number of people getting seriously ill with COVID-19.

"While cases continue to come down, we still have new cases from community transmission every day. That is why, whether you live in the North, on the Coast or in the Interior, we strongly encourage everyone to get fully vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.

"When you get vaccinated, you will join 2.75 billion people worldwide who are also doing their part to protect their loved ones and communities.

"We are progressing well, and we need to keep going. For every person who gets vaccinated, it will allow us to gradually transition and safely reopen many things that have been on hold. Our approach in B.C. will continue to be a 'dimmer switch' instead of a 'light switch' approach.

"This is a time of optimism and renewal - a time to turn down your personal risk by getting vaccinated and to gradually turn up your social interactions as we start to put COVID-19 behind us."