BC expecting to receive new antiviral COVID-19 treatment

NORTHERN BC- Health officials are expecting to see high rates of COVID-19 transmission over the next few weeks in BC before eventually dropping off. As a result, Provincial Health Officer, Dr.Bonnie Henry says British Columbians can expect the current restrictions on gatherings and events to remain in place. Henry also announced the province is expecting to receive more tools that can be used to fight the virus.

“Later this month, as well, we anticipate that we will have additional treatment options that will be available in BC and we’re preparing for that as well. As we talked about before, there’s a number of new antiviral medications, particularly, Paxlovid, also Molnupiravir that are under review by Health Canada and we’re hopeful that those will be available as another important tool to keep people out of hospital,” she explained.

The risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms continues to be much lower for vaccinated residents. Currently, there are three unvaccinated residents in their 20’s battling the virus in ICU, and one person in their 30’s. Double vaccinated residents are still at risk of contracting the virus, but are about 60-70% less likely to require hospitalization up to six months after receiving a second dose. In addition, Henry says a booster shot reduces the risk of transmission by 50%.

“One of the things that is becoming very, very clear is that this strain of the virus is absolutely mostly mild in people who have the protection that vaccination offers. But if you are unvaccinated, you don’t have that protection and your personal risk has gone up dramatically in some communities. You are also at higher risk of not having that priming of your immune system, and at higher risk of severe illness and ending up in hospital.”