COVID-19’s Fourth Wave Sweeps Across British Columbia

Data & Projections by BC COVID-19 Modelling Group

The COVID-19 pandemic that took the world by storm in March 2020 reached its fourth wave over the summer. The new Delta variant, which is twice as contagious and pathogenic as previous variants, is surging in cases; doubling every eleven days in some countries and quickly filling up hospitals.

In an effort to slow the spread and curb infections, the BC government along with other provinces proposed a new solution—a COVID-19 passport.

An order was issued on August 23 for all restaurants and cafes that offer table service to require proof of vaccination starting September 13. Other services such as gyms, movie theatres, bars, and indoor recreational centres are now also requiring the vaccine passport. Two doses of the vaccine are mandatory to enter any of these places. While it encourages more people in the community to get vaccinated, it has also caused commotion around the province.

B.C.’s COVID-19 passport has divided British Columbians into two categories: one that supports the vaccine and one that does not. Over 90 per cent  of BC’s residents have had at least one shot. For the 10 per that refuse to get vaccinated, the addition of the passports have taken a significant toll on their lives. Some are determined to rid the province of this new proof of vaccination, and have staged protests and rallies denouncing the system.

On September 3, one of the many protests attempting to remove the passports was held in front of St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, with over 5000 protesters. It led to the verbal and physical assault of healthcare workers. It also created a lot of traffic, blocking the paths of emergency vehicles. On that night, several paramedics were trying to rush a patient with a severe arterial bleed to the emergency room, but because of protesters, the trip took twice as long.

The fourth wave has caused discord in BC. Despite the government’s attempt to put it to an end by introducing vaccine passports, the virus does not seem to be leaving in the near future.