B.C. imposes new COVID-19 restrictions

British Columbia's provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says she has imposed a three-week "circuit breaker" on some activities to stop an "exponential growth" of COVID-19 cases in the province.

"Our balance in B.C. is now off," she said. "At this time it is a step back from where we want to be and where we need to be. We need a circuit breaker to stop this virus now."

Dr. Henry says starting at midnight until April 19, indoor dining and activity at fitness centres are paused, while the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort will be closed as cases spread in the community.

Only last week, Henry eased restrictions on indoor religious services, but that has also been reversed. Outdoor worship services under the current variance may continue.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce this," she said Monday. "I cannot in all conscience, with the increased numbers of cases that we are having and the risk that we see from indoor services, allow these types of activities to happen right now."

Henry said recent data continues to show that indoor settings are where COVID-19 transmissions are occurring and the case trajectory continues upwards.

She said she had been working for weeks with faith leaders to permit services for the coming religious holidays of Passover, Easter, Ramadan and Vaisakhi, but the indoor risk is too great now.

"We're just in a very difficult position," said Henry. "Some of these important holidays are going to be difficult this year, again."

Travel continues to be limited to essential travel, work or medical reasons only. For those who have travelled outside their health region, if you or anyone in your family develops any signs of illness, you must stay home from work, school or daycare.

She says the province will also be updating its mask wearing mandate in all schools for children from grades 4 to 12.

Join Premier John Horgan, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's provincial health officer, for an update on COVID-19.#CovidBC https://t.co/Twxq0sf2QE

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) March 29, 2021

Health officials are concerned the increase in variants of concern from the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa are driving much of the current transmission, she said.

B.C. is also following other jurisdictions and suspending the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for the next few days for those under age 55 over concerns it may be linked to rare blood clots.

The instances of clots are rare, but B.C. will take the precaution of suspending the use of the vaccine temporarily, she said.

"We now are looking at our safety signals and taking action," Henry said. "This is our safety system working across the world and in Canada."

For those who have had the vaccine, if it's been more than 20 days, there should be no concerns, she said. Those who more recently received the vaccine should watch for symptoms of a blood clot, and there are tests and treatment in such instances, she added.

Henry urged people to restrict themselves to outdoor activities and limit travel to essential only.

"Right now we are asking you to be part of the solution for this next few weeks," she said. "Take an extra effort to be aware. Stay outside when you are with your friends."

Workers are strongly urged to work from home, if possible, Henry said.

B.C. recorded 2,518 new COVID-19 cases in BC over the last 3 days.. This includes a single day record 936 new cases from Fri to Sat, 805 cases Sat to Sun, 774 cases Sunday to Mon. There have been 98,165 total cases in BC. The 7-day average is now at 803 cases. It was 600 last Monday. 6 new deaths for a total of 1455 deaths over the 72 hour period.

Premier John Horgan said rising COVID-19 case numbers in the past days are "unacceptably high."

He urged those aged 20 to 39 years old to curb activities to protect their parents and neighbours.

"We cannot blow it now,” said Horgan. “We need to redouble our efforts.”

Henry's orders Monday did not mention the April 1 changes to visits to B.C.'s elder care facilities.

She said last week the requirement for a single designated visitor to an elder care facility would be lifted to allow visits by multiple family members after more than a year of tough restrictions.