'We are emerging from this pandemic...but there still is some uncertainty,' says Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Health officials say while B.C. is emerging from the pandemic, a moderate surge in cases is expected this fall and winter.
The good news is that most of the population has accrued some immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from vaccination or infection, health officials said, during a news conference Wednesday.
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However, that strong immunity will wane over time and so health officials are urging British Columbians to get a booster shot that protects against the Omicron variant.
Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are significantly down from a peak in January, according to B.C. government data. There was a slight surge in May and then there has been a steady decline.
“We are emerging from this pandemic…but there still is some uncertainty,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer.
“It is very clear that COVID will be with us for the long term.”
Henry said B.C. will likely face another variant that could be more infectious but it would probably be a variety of Omicron.
Source: The B.C. government.
“Given the evolutionary pressures that we’re seeing around the world and the amount of immunization and immunity that we have, we’re very unlikely to see a new strain arrive in B.C. or in Canada,” said Henry.
“This is the longest period of time that we have had during this pandemic with the same variant that is causing illness.”
According to B.C. data, 58 per cent of eligible kids age five to 11 have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 86 per cent of British Columbians over five have received two doses.
A little over half (57 per cent) have received a booster or third dose.
B.C.’s hospital capacity is approximately 9,400 patients, and health officials say they are preparing for COVID-19 surges in the community, as well as other respiratory illnesses such as influenza.
Projections suggest up to 700 additional patients may require hospitalization in the coming months because of COVID-19. Currently there are 358 COVID-19 positive people are in hospital, although the reason they are in hospital may be unrelated.
Under the government’s bed management plan, patients will be identified for potential transfer to community to reduce hospitalization by 40 per cent to 60 per cent in case 500 to 800 beds are needed.
Meantime, B.C.’s influenza vaccination campaign is set to start in October. It is recommended and available for free for everyone aged six months and older.
The flu jab will be offered to B.C. residents at community COVID-19 booster clinics, pharmacies, as well as physician and nurse practitioner offices.
Influenza projections suggest a peak of up to 1,200 additional patients may require hospitalization for a few weeks over the coming months, according to the government.
ticrawford@postmedia.com