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There were 525 new cases of COVID-19 reported in B.C. today, and hospitalizations rose to 332.

B.C. reports 525 new cases, hospitalizations rise

By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Published 3:53 PDT, Tue September 21, 2021

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B.C. health authorities reported 525 new cases of COVID-19 today, with just 51 of those in the Vancouver Coastal Health region (which includes Richmond). Since the pandemic began, B.C. has recorded 180,178 cases.

However, hospitalizations of those with active cases—already at a four-month high yesterday—rose by 25 to 332, with 155 of those people in intensive care. There are 5,282 active cases in total.

Due to the strain on the healthcare system, Health Minister Adrian Dix said 87 surgeries were postponed in the Vancouver Coastal Health region from Sept. 12 to 18, and 511 in total across the province.

“Every one of those surgeries is medically necessary, every one of those surgeries will be done, but they’ve had to be delayed because of COVID-19 pressures on our hospital,” said Dix.

Of the new cases, 51 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region (including Richmond), 187 in the Fraser Health region, 61 in the Island Health region, 147 in the Interior Health region, 79 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

To date, 7,725,586 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C.; 3,685,799 of those are second doses.

This means that 87.5 per cent of adults and 87 per cent of people aged 12 and older have received their first dose of a vaccine. In addition, 80.4 per cent of adults and 79.5 per cent of those aged 12 and older have received two doses.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said today that the province is preparing to offer vaccines to children aged five to 11 once the final studies are finished. She also said B.C. has changed its approach to isolation in the case of vaccinated contacts.

“Vaccinated contacts no longer need to self-isolate, but they must continue to self-monitor and to isolate and get tested if any symptoms develop,” said Henry.

Sadly, there was one new virus-related death reported today, bringing that total to 1,900.

Health authorities reported one new healthcare facility outbreak. Active outbreaks continue at 16 long-term care facilities, three assisted or independent living facilities and three acute care facilities.

From Sept. 13 to 19, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 76.1 per cent of cases and from Sept. 6 to 19, they accounted for 84.7 per cent of hospitalizations.

Past week cases (Sept. 13 to 19)—Total 4,367

• Not vaccinated: 2,982 (68.3 per cent)

• Partially vaccinated: 340 (7.8 per cent)

• Fully vaccinated: 1,045 (23.9 per cent)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Sept. 6 to 19)—Total 353

• Not vaccinated: 279 (79 per cent)

• Partially vaccinated: 20 (5.7 per cent)

• Fully vaccinated: 54 (15.3 per cent)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 13 to 19)

• Not vaccinated:

• Partially vaccinated: 87.2

• Fully vaccinated: 26.3

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 6 to 19)

• Not vaccinated: 39.8

• Partially vaccinated: 8.2

• Fully vaccinated: 1.2

After factoring for age, people not vaccinated are 33.1 times more likely to be hospitalized than those fully vaccinated.

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and to find a testing centre near you: http://www.bccdc.ca/ or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.