B.C. health officials said Monday that 3,325 health-care workers, or about 2.6 per cent of the workforce, are not yet vaccinated have been placed on unpaid leave.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said, as of midnight Sunday, 127,448 workers in the province have worked at least one shift in the last three months. Of those, 122,059 are fully vaccinated, while 2,064 have received one dose. The remainder is not vaccinated and on leave.
This number does not include long-term care and assisted living staff, Dix clarified.
The situation in Interior Health is the direst at this time, Dix said, with 1,018 health workers on leave.
A number of hospitals have been impacted by the staff shortages, he added, including Keremeos and Abbotsford. Kelowna General Hospital has had to cancel eye operations.
During the news conference, Henry also clarified that anyone who had two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will receive a notice that they are eligible for their booster shot six months after their second dose. The booster will be an mRNA vaccine, meaning Pfizer or Moderna.
Henry said this is because people with two doses of AstraZeneca have shown waning levels of protection, although it is still high for protection against severe illness.
Visitors at all acute care facilities across the province must now show proof of vaccination in order to visit friends and loved ones.
Henry addressed the issue of mask-wearing in indoor public spaces and said masks should still be worn at indoor faith services, as COVID can still spread in these environments.
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