Age to be determining factor in who gets COVID-19 vaccine

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Vaccination implementation plan changes to focus on age

British Columbia has revised its COVID-19 vaccination plan to focus on age as being the deciding factor for when people will get their vaccines. The province has not changed its plan to deliver the vaccine to those who live and work in long term care, along with other vulnerable populations. But, starting in late March, mass vaccination clinics will begin, with the first in line being those over the age of 80 who live outside of care homes. Age groups will continue on a descending scale with 70-year-olds starting in April, 60 to 70-year-old starting in May and so on, with the youngest group 18 to 24 being done in September. Premier John Horgan acknowledged that some groups including teachers and others with less critical medical conditions will be disappointed.

"I know how people feel about this. In almost every sector in the economy, I receive mail, a couple of inches thick, from advocates saying that their particular sector, that their particular profession, deserves a higher priority and all of the arguments are pretty compelling. But the science is pretty clear. Age is the dominant, determinant factor on severe illness and death. If given the opportunity to have a vaccination today, knowing that there are other people more vulnerable, I am confident that the vast majority of British Columbians would defer their vaccination, to protect someone more vulnerable."—Premier John Horgan.

Meanwhile, the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, says she expects British Columbians will be allowed non-essential provincial travel and larger get-togethers by the summer.

COVID-19 counts continue to rise in central island

COVID-19 case counts continue to rise on central Vancouver Island. Of the 47 new cases confirmed yesterday, 36 are on the central island. There are 212 active cases of the virus in Island Health, with three-quarters of those in the central region. Many of those are due to an outbreak within the Cowichan Tribes. As a result, the chief and council extended the shelter in place order until February the 5th. They also took to social media to underline that message. As of Monday, there were 128 members who tested positive for the virus and seven in hospital. Councillor Cindy Daniels says the rising cases counts weren't really surprising.

"We knew in these two weeks, that the numbers may spike if the community didn't keep still during the holidays. And right now our numbers are spiking but it is my hope now that with the shelter in place that our numbers start dropping."
—Cowichan Councillor Cindy Daniels.

Other councillors, including Deborah Toporowski, urged members to self-isolate and to not be afraid to get tested.

"I've had questions from our community members about the confidentiality of these testing. We don't even know who’s getting tested or who’s tested positive or negative. It is all confidential and it is safe."
—Cowichan Tribes Councillor Deboarah Toporowski.

Meanwhile, the Snuneymuxw First Nation lifted its shelter in place order on Wednesday. saying it has contained its outbreak to 36 cases, only six of which are currently active.