What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for Feb. 1

THE LATEST:

• 18 infections with two new COVID-19 variants of concern have been identified.
• In the three days since Friday, 1,158 new cases of COVID-19 and 21 more deaths have been recorded.
• A total of 1,210 people have died because of the virus to date.
• There are 289 people in hospital, with 79 in intensive care.
• Active cases of the disease as of Monday are at 4,134.
• A total of 138,892 people in B.C. have received a first dose of the vaccine, including 4,491 who have received a second dose as well.

The last three days have seen 1,158 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, 21 more deaths and an increased number of people infected with variants of concern, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Monday.

To date, health officials have confirmed 14 cases of the variant first identified in the U.K. and four of the variant first reported in South Africa. Henry said public health scientists are now ramping up screening for these new, more transmissible versions of the novel coronavirus.

Workers from Fraser Health are also investigating a case where a student at Garibaldi Secondary School in Maple Ridge has tested positive and was determined to be a close contact of someone infected with one of the variants of concern. Henry said everyone in the student's school cohort will be tested to determine if there has been any transmission.

As of Monday, there are 4,134 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. Of those, 289 are in hospital, including 79 in intensive care.

Penthouse party

Over the weekend, a 42-year-old man in Vancouver was arrested by police for allegedly hosting a large party in a three-level penthouse in the city's downtown.

Police issued $17,000 in fines to 77 people for contravening health orders and said the penthouse operation appeared to be running as a nightclub.

No one inside the three-storey apartment was wearing a mask, according to police.

"Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks the rules don't apply to them," Sgt. Steve Addison said in a written statement.

Vancouver police shut down makeshift nightclub

4 years ago

Duration 1:52

A 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with the penthouse parties. Officers found 78 people inside the apartment.

Workplace safety

Inspectors with WorkSafeBC have found more than 1,550 violations of COVID-19 health and safety plans in workplaces across the province, according to the agency.  

The number has more than doubled since July, when the agency had issued just 334 orders. 

All employers open in B.C. during the pandemic must have approved health and safety protocols in place to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 on site. 

WorkSafeBC has done more than 21,800 inspections to ensure plans are in place and being followed. Inspections can be planned ahead or unannounced, and are sometimes done in response to complaints from the public.

Non-essential provincial travel

Health officials are urging British Columbians to avoid non-essential travel as COVID-19 cases climb exponentially in the Whistler area.

Whistler saw 288 cases between Jan. 1 and Jan. 26., according to Vancouver Coastal Health. 

Most of the cases are connected to young people in their 20s and 30s who work, live and socialize together and none of the cases have resulted in hospitalization or death.

As COVID-19 cases surge in Whistler and health officials urge against non-essential travel, residents are torn between keeping the ski town's economy running and protecting locals. 

The community has so far tried to balance both, with Whistler Blackcomb open to skiers by reservation only and bars and restaurants open at reduced capacity.

Outbreaks have also been identified in connection with similar gatherings in Fernie, B.C., and Big White in Kelowna.

Vaccinations

So far, 138,892 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including 4,491 who have received a second dose.

Vancouver Coastal Health has started offering COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable residents on the Downtown Eastside as part of Phase 2 of its immunization plan. 

The vaccine clinics started Friday at four locations — the Carnegie Centre, the Downtown Community Health Centre, Union Gospel Mission and the Pender Community Health Centre — and were available to those who are homeless, or residents of shelters, single room occupancy hotels or supported housing. 

B.C. will not be receiving new doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines until the end of the week at the earliest because of production slowdowns.

As a result of the shortage, second doses of the vaccine will be delayed until 42 days after the first, rather than 35, in order to provide protection to a greater number of people.

READ MORE:

• Liberal MLA John Rustad is backtracking after making comments questioning why Indigenous members of his community are receiving COVID-19 vaccines ahead of older members of the population.
• A B.C-based Air Canada flight attendant who says she contracted COVID-19 during a series of long-haul flights last March has won a battle with the airline for workers' compensation.
• Vancouver Coastal Health has started offering COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable residents on the Downtown Eastside as part of Phase 2 of its immunization plan. 
• The lab tech who found B.C.'s 1st case of COVID-19 recalls the "sheer terror" of when the discovery was made on Jan. 27, 2020.
• Have a look at a collection of photos from CBC News photographer Ben Nelms over the past year of the pandemic.
• B.C. remains one of the few provinces to allow in-person dining during the second wave, but there is confusion about what that actually means.
• Paper copies of COVID-19 vaccination cards bring out emotions digital records can't: 'Holding that card is like holding hope,' says one health-care worker.
• Dr. Bonnie Henry responds to frustrations surrounding the province's response to the pandemic.

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, Canada had reported 778,972 cases of COVID-19, with 53,281 cases considered active.

A CBC News tally of deaths stood at 20,032.

• Stay informed by joining our CBC Vancouver Facebook group on COVID-19 
• Help CBC British Columbia tell your COVID-19 stories