COVID-19 on Vancouver Island: Health officials to provide update as new restrictions announced
CTV
B.C. health officials will provide an update on new COVID-19 cases, vaccinations and other relevant information on Friday afternoon.
The update is expected to be released as a written statement after 3 p.m.
Earlier Friday, health officials announced new pandemic restrictions related to the holiday season at a live briefing.
The restrictions include limits on at-home personal gatherings, 50 per cent capacity limits at large venues of 1,000 people or more, and a suspension of all sports tournaments until the order is over.
Organized New Year's Eve events will also be limited to seated-only, with no mingling between tables or dancing allowed, says the province.
The health orders are in effect from Dec. 20 until Jan. 31.
"These amendments (to the health orders) are about ensuring that everyone is staying small, staying with everyone they know, and staying with those who are vaccinated," said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry at the news conference.
On Thursday, the B.C. Health Ministry announced 753 new cases of COVID-19, including 137 cases identified in the Vancouver Island region over a 24-hour period.
As of Thursday, there were 3,878 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including a record-setting 905 active cases in the Island Health region.
