B.C. health officials are reporting 521 new COVID-19 cases today, along with eight additional deaths in the province.

The seven-day moving average for new cases in the province is down to 481, the lowest it’s been since March 2.

Active cases have fallen again to 4,815 people – the fewest in more than two months – while the number of people in hospital is down by 20 from yesterday to 340. There are 118 people with COVID-19 in intensive care units across the province.

There were 62 new cases in Interior Health, with 335 in Fraser Health, 77 in Vancouver Coastal Health, 29 in Northern Health, and 18 in Island Health. There are 495 active cases in Interior Health, with 19 people in hospital, 13 in ICU.

Of the eight deaths, one was in Interior Health taking the provincial death toll to 1,658 people. In Interior Health, 146 have succumbed to COVID-19.

B.C. has also administered 2,623,907 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine administered in the province, including 135,246 second doses.

Health Minister, Adrian Dix, said today that everyone over the age of 12 can now register for a COVID-19 vaccine. More details will be coming during tomorrow’s COVID-19 briefing at 2 p.m., with Premier John Horgan also speaking at that time.

“Getting everyone in our province immunized is our pathway forward through the COVID-19 pandemic. This will ensure we have enough protection and community immunity to allow us to slowly lift public health and travel restrictions,” health officials said, in a statement.

Speaking at the Legislature, Dix said as was the case with adults, some smaller and remote communities will have a different strategy when it comes to immunizing 12 to 17 year old children when compared to bigger centres like Kamloops or Vancouver.

He also noted it is important that everyone gets vaccinated noting the province’s registration system has been working well since it launched last month.

People who were vaccinated before April 15 are being told to register with the province as their contact information may not be in the online system.

“Our immunization system has your vaccine information, but may not have your contact information. This is why it is important for everyone to register to simplify notification for your second dose booking when it is your turn,” the statement added.

“If you are unsure, call 1-833-838-2323 to make sure you are registered or register online.”

There are now 133,985 people who are to have recovered from COVID-19, about 95 per cent of the total 140,596 cases in British Columbia.