10 new deaths for Friday

There are 10 new deaths and 445 new cases of COVID-19 in BC of which 6 are epi linked as we wrap up the work week.

There have been a total of 72,750 cases of COVID in BC. Total deaths sitting at 1288. There are 226 people in hospital with COVID. There are 16 outbreaks in LTC. There are 61 people in ICU.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, provide an update on COVID-19 in BC. #covidbc https://t.co/NSQQJzVCT2

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) February 12, 2021

So far 162,982 people have been vaccinated in BC with a COVID-19 immunization so far. Of which, 17,562 people have received both doses. On Manitoba buying it's own vaccine produced in Canada, Health Minister Adrian Dix says there is an enormous research effort happening in BC. Dix says BC will meet with company Manitoba purchased vaccine from. Says priority right now is the ongoing vaccination program. 

Dr. Henry says to be vigilant this Family Day Long weekend and continue to follow COVID19 protocol and not let up. There have been 46 cases of the COVID-19 variants of concern identified in BC. 29 cases of the variant originally found in the UK and 17 of the variant originally found in South Africa.

Dr. Henry says there is not high levels of transmission of the variants in the community. Says there has been a single case of a variant linked to travel to Nigeria. Dr. Henry says they don't know the effects of the variant.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says the province is expecting to see supply of the vaccines increasing next week.