In its latest update, BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) reported 109 COVID-19 cases in the Powell River local health area from January 9 to 15, an increase of 42 from the 67 cases reported in the region from January 2 to 8.
The last week without a confirmed case was November 21 to 27. In fact, the total number of cases announced by BCCDC in November could be counted on one hand. What a difference two months makes.
The number jumped to 93 in December, and that upward trend has continued into January, with another 176 cases reported so far.
Despite predictions that the latest wave is levelling off, cases continue to mount close to home and throughout the province and country.
On January 17, Health Canada authorized the combination of two antiviral drugs, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (brand name PAXLOVID), to treat adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of progressing to serious disease, including hospitalization or death. There are limited supplies of the oral treatment, which, according to provincial health officer Bonnie Henry, is meant for people who are over the age of 70, clinically extremely vulnerable, immune-compromised, and younger people who have additional medical conditions and are without the protection of vaccines.
As the province continues its booster dose campaign, Henry said during a briefing on January 18 that for people not interested in mRNA vaccines (Pfizer/Moderna), she is hopeful Novavax (protein-based) and Medicago (plant-based) vaccines will get the green light from Health Canada in the coming weeks. She said they will not be available to help through this wave, but are additional options that “will be coming, we hope, in the near future.”
We can only hope, too. The more options the better.
