Vaccinated healthcare workers top more than 1,100 since Monday

File Photo
Vaccinated healthcare workers top more than 1,100 since Monday and BC's top doctor expects clinics to open next week as deliveries increase.

Since the first healthcare workers were vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine early this week in BC, the number of people receiving the shot is growing.

BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry said hundreds are being vaccinated every day.

“On a positive note, of course, we know the vaccine has arrived here in British Columbia. And in the last day, up until yesterday, 1,215 healthcare workers have received the covid-19 vaccine.”

Next week Henry says the province will be receiving weekly vaccine deliveries, sometimes multiple deliveries a day.

“We do expect and are planning for immunization clinics in every health region across the province starting early next week. And I know that many people are eagerly awaiting this,” Dr. Henry said.

As cold and flu season hits Dr. Henry warns to watch for specific symptoms associated with COVID-19.

“These include having fever, chills, a cough, loss of sense of smell or taste, and with difficulty breathing. If you have any of these symptoms, short of breath, lost your sense of smell, then you need to get a COVID test right away,” Dr. Henry said.

While most churches are abiding by public health orders to refrain from in-person services,  the BC Civil Liberties Association, and Canadian Civil Liberties Association wrote an open letter to Dr. Bonnie Henry and BC’s Health Minister, Adrian Dix, urging them to reconsider the order.

Dix said that despite pressure from groups, religious ceremonies will still be prohibited under the current orders.

“Right now, COVID-19 is on the march. We have to take steps right now to protect one another, to protect those that are vulnerable.”

The province is hoping for news on Friday in order to start planning for the immunization of long-term care residents as early as next week.

READ MORE: Third COVID-19 death linked to Saanich Peninsula outbreak as B.C. reports 673 new cases

Mary GriffinMary Griffin

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!