BC health officials to give written COVID-19 update on Tuesday afternoon

Health officials in British Columbia are scheduled to give a written COVID-19 update on Tuesday afternoon.

The announcement follows Monday’s live update, which included three reporting periods. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a total of 1,158 new test-positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in BC to 67,937.

There were 408 cases reported from Friday to Saturday, 473 from Saturday to Sunday, and 277 from Sunday to Monday. Over the weekend, 21 deaths were also reported, for a total of 1,210 deaths in the province.

There are currently 4,134 active cases of COVID-19 in BC, with 7,242 people under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.

Currently, 289 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, 79 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

• See also: 
  • Canada signs deal to make COVID-19 vaccine in Montreal
  • Massive Whistler lineups worry some skiers during COVID-19 case spike
  • Super Bowl parties not allowed anywhere in BC, says Dr. Bonnie Henry

On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a deal with Novavax to produce its new COVID-19 vaccine at a new facility in Montreal.

Trudeau said the federal government has signed a memorandum with Novavax to have “tens of millions” of doses once approved by Health Canada. The company will be able to make 2 million doses per month.

The vaccine will be made in the new National Research Council biomanufacturing facility in Montreal. The production facility will be finished by the end of summer.

With files from Clarrie Feinstein