B.C. has reported 1,006 new COVID-19 cases today and four deaths, as some Lower Mainland hospitals have postponed surgeries because of high staffing needs for COVID-19 patients.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says four Fraser Health hospitals and five Vancouver Coastal Health hospitals are affected, and he says about 1,750 non-urgent surgeries will be postponed between April 26 and May 10. He says urgent and emergent surgeries will continue, and says it remains safe to go to the affected hospitals, and all others, if people need medical attention.

Across B.C., hospitalizations reached a record today, with 502 people in hospital. Of those patients, 161 are in intensive care units; the number of ICU patients is slightly lower than a record of 164 reached yesterday.

In Interior Health, there were 83 new cases and two deaths reported today. Another 600 cases today were in Fraser Health, 241 were in Vancouver Coastal Health, 42 were in Northern Health, 37 in Island Health and three among residents who live outside of Canada.

Meanwhile, 1,500,430 vaccine doses have now been administered to more than 1.41 million B.C. residents. As of tonight, health officials say all B.C. residents aged 60 and older will be able to book a vaccine appointment, either online, over the phone or at a ServiceBC office.