B.C. health officials are reporting 799 new cases of COVID-19 in the province, including 96 new cases in Interior Health.
There are now 500 people in hospital in B.C. with the virus, with 164 of those people in intensive care units. Both those figures are a slight increase since yesterday.
Fraser Health reported 534 new cases, with another 121 in Vancouver Coastal Health, 28 on Vancouver Island, and 16 in Northern Health. There were also four new cases in people who typically live outside of British Columbia.
Active cases across B.C. are at 8,089, with 667 of those cases in Interior Health. Another 11,792 people are being actively monitored because of an exposure to a known case of the virus.
No new COVID-19 deaths were reported in B.C. since yesterday and the death toll remains at 1,571 people.
In all, there have now been 1,671,128 doses of a vaccine administered in the province, 89,457 of which were second doses. Currently, people 59 and older can book an appointment, though all adults are able to register for their vaccine.
In a statement, provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry says they’re using the available vaccine supply to set up dedicated clinics in ‘hot spot’ communities that have been hardest hit by COVID-19.
“Our limited AstraZeneca supply is being used in some of these ‘hot spots,’ as well as for our provincewide pharmacy program,” she said. “Starting today, the AstraZeneca vaccine will be available to anyone 30 and older, starting with some of the ‘hot spot’ community clinics.”
“We know demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine is high in many areas. Unfortunately, available supply through pharmacies in some regions will continue to be limited until additional supplies come in.”
There are now 117,150 people who’ve recovered from COVID-19 in B.C., about 92 per cent of the total 127,048 total cases in British Columbia.
COVID-19 state of emergency extended another two weeks
Further, the COVID-19 state of emergency has been extended another two weeks to the end of the day on May 11. It was first declared back on March 18, 2020, and it has been extended every two weeks.
“With over 1.5 million British Columbians already vaccinated and tens of thousands more joining them each day, the end of this pandemic is in sight. But we’re not there yet,” said Premier John Horgan.
“I know how hard people have been working to keep others safe. The final mile of this pandemic is proving more difficult, but if we all keep doing our part to follow public health orders, including staying close to home, we will get through this sooner rather than later.”
Data from the government shows that between Aug. 21, 2020, and April 23, 2021, there have been 1,857 violation tickets issued to people in B.C. including 328 $2,300 tickets to owners or organizers who were in violation of the order on gatherings and events.
Another 53 $2,300 tickets were issued for offences related to the Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order.
There were also 1,441 $230 tickets issued to people who did not comply with the orders from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and 35 $575 tickets to people who promoted or attended an event.
“So many British Columbians are doing their part, but there are too many who just aren’t getting the message,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “We have orders in place to keep people safe and bring us through to the end of this pandemic.”
