More adults under the age of 40 are getting COVID-19, even as there have been decreases in older age groups that have received the vaccine, says B.C.’s top doctor.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday that there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in people ages 19 to 39 over the past month and a half.
However, she said the hospitalization rate remains low and stable for people under 60. There have been more cases of the variant first identified in the U.K., which is more transmissible and can have increased severity of illness across age groups.
Of 1,592 hospitalizations of people younger than 60 in B.C., 19 per cent required admission to intensive care units. Of the small number that required hospitalization with a variant of concern, 30 per cent were admitted to the ICU, she said.
“That’s something that’s a signal, that we’re watching,” she said, though she added the numbers are small enough not to be too worrying.
Henry also revealed that a third to 40 per cent of B.C.’s cases are coming from work sites. She said COVID-19 is emerging in “work sites across the board,” though the province is currently targeting essential workplaces that have seen outbreaks for vaccines.
The province reported 800 new cases on Thursdsay — the highest single-day total since November. Of those, 45 were in the Island Health region. According to Island Health, there are 109 in the central Island, 105 in the south and 19 in the north.
Island Health also declared an outbreak at Longlake Chateau independent living facility in Nanaimo, operated by Atria Retirement Canada. Five residents have tested positive for COVID-19 at the site. Residents who tested positive and close contacts are isolating in their homes.
The health authority said it’s working with Longlake Chateau management to identify anyone who may have been exposed. Visits will be restricted to essential visitors and all staff and residents will be tested.
The B.C. government announced earlier it was more than doubling the fines for those promoting and attending events against COVID-19 health rules in an effort to crack down on “selfish behaviour.”
The fine has increased to $575 from $230, although the penalty for those caught hosting such an event remains at $2,300.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said most people are following provincial health rules, but it’s become clear in the last few months that the risk of a ticket isn’t enough of a deterrence for some.
“The reality is this, these health orders exist to keep people safe, to help deal with the spread of COVID-19 and everybody has a part to play,” he said. “I think [the fines] send a pretty strong message for people that they need to follow provincial health orders.”
The $230 fine will continue to apply to a range of other COVID-19 violations, such as not wearing a mask.
The increased fine is aimed at events where behaviour is more risky, said Farnworth.
The province is preparing to announce new measures in the coming weeks to ensure people who receive tickets pay their fines, he said, noting as of Wednesday, 1,525 people have received tickets.
