The B.C. government is reporting 74 new deaths from COVID-19 in the past five days, including 10 in Interior Health.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry held back tears while announcing that number.

“Our condolences go out to the families who are mourning the loss, to the care providers and to our communities who have lost loved ones. We know this is the most challenging time to deal with these issues, not only because of COVID-19 but because of the time of year. We mourn with you, and feel your loss intensely.”

Those deaths were reported between Christmas Day and today.

Of the 10 in the Interior, seven were at long-term care homes in the Okanagan and three were deaths “in the community.”

In that time, there were 2,206 new cases of the virus across B.C., including 238 in Interior Health.

There are now 7,580 active cases in the province, which is down considerably from the most recent update on Dec. 24 when there were 8,865 active cases.

Hospitalizations are now at 373, with 80 of those people in intensive care. Both of those numbers are up from Dec. 24, when there were 341 people in hospital and 78 people in ICU.

Henry also says 11,930 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have gone out in B.C., ramping up from just under 4,000 in the first week to 8,000 last week, and 20,000 doses expected to go out this week.

Meanwhile, Henry is also asking people to not go out or gather on New Year’s Eve, and to avoid usual parties and get-togethers. She says doing so will allow long-term care residents and healthcare workers “a reprieve.”

More to come.