Updated provincial data shows Burnaby saw an increase in new COVID-19 cases during the latest reporting period.
The BC Centre for Disease Control's Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence states Burnaby recorded 63 new infections from March 27 to April 2, 2022.
From March 20 to 26, 2022, Burnaby saw just 24 new cases.
Province announces changes to vaccine card, reporting
On Tuesday (April 5), provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced as of April 8, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., B.C.s vaccine card will no longer be mandatory to access events and businesses like restaurants.
Henry also said post-secondary school residencies will no longer require proof of vaccination, while businesses will transition from COVID-19 safety plans to communicable disease plans.
Businesses, events and venues can still require proof of vaccination if they choose, with Henry adding "each business has to do its own due diligence" when it comes to deciding to put in a proof-of-vaccine requirement for entry.
Health officials also announced that it will move to weekly reporting instead of daily data updates starting today (April 7).
Fourth doses will be available to British Columbians deemed most at risk
The province will be embarking on a spring COVID-19 vaccine campaign, offering fourth doses to British Columbians deemed most at risk.
Those 70 and up, residents of long-term care homes and Indigenous people over the age of 55 are eligible for this latest round of booster doses, provincial officials said Tuesday.
“It may be that we will recommend a booster dose for more people,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie said, adding she does not foresee offering boosters to the general population in the near future.
“It could be that we’ll need maybe an annual booster.”
The unveiling of B.C.’s plans came hours after the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended provinces prepare for the “rapid deployment” of a second series of COVID-19 booster shots. A second booster dose would be the fourth overall dose for the vast majority of Canadians who received two jabs as part of their primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
NACI said provinces should aim to have those second booster doses in the arms of recipients six months after their previous shot.
B.C. provided most booster doses to the general population in January and February, while those considered to be more at risk received their jabs in the weeks prior.
Going by NACI’s recommendations, the latest booster dose campaign would begin in late May or early June.
- with files from Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver, Lindsay William-Ross, Vancouver Is Awesome and Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver
