B.C. health officials reported another 722 cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the provincial total to 134,341 cases since the start of the pandemic.
There were 38 new cases in Interior Health, with 523 new cases in Fraser Health, 115 in Vancouver Coastal Health, 26 in Northern Health, and 20 on Vancouver Island.
Active cases provincewide are now at 6,757 with 445 people in hospital, 157 in intensive care. That’s down 12 people in hospital from yesterday, but an increase of three people in ICU.
Seven more people however died of COVID-19, taking the provincial death toll to 1,602 people.
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, says there have now been 2,042,442 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine administered in B.C., 99,461 of which have been second doses.
“With over two million doses in the arms of people throughout the province, our COVID-19 immunization program has significant momentum, and more people are getting their vaccine every day,” she said.
“To date, 45 per cent of those who are eligible have received at least one dose. For everyone who has received their vaccine, we thank you for doing your part. For those who will soon be eligible, we encourage you to join this vaccine effort when it is your turn.”
As it stands, people 49 and older can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, with people aged 40 and up (born in 1981 or earlier) eligible to book their shot next week.
Further, Interior Health is accelerating COVID-19 immunizations for people aged 30 and over in the District of Summerland and in the Rutland neighbourhood of Kelowna because of an increase in COVID-19 transmission.
Anyone born in 1991 or earlier, will be invited to book an appointment based on their postal code as long as they are registered to get a vaccine.
“Everyone throughout Interior Health is encouraged to register as soon as possible so no one misses their earliest opportunity to book a vaccine appointment,” IH said, in a statement.
There are now 125,799 people who are considered to have recovered from COVID-19, roughly 93 per cent of the total.
