PROVINCIAL Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix on Tuesday announced 165 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 145,695 cases in British Columbia.
There have been no new COVID-19-related deaths, and the total number of deaths in the province remains at 1,722.
Today, 74.2% of all adults in B.C. and 71.9% of those 12 and older have now received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In total, 3,685,340 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 345,508 of which are second doses.
Of the new cases of COVID-19, 30 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 78 are in the Fraser Health region, 10 are in the Island Health region, 42 are in the Interior Health region and five are in the Northern Health region.
There are currently 2,051 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. A further 141,879 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 203 individuals are currently hospitalized, 57 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.
The outbreak at Brookside Lodge is now over.
Henry and Dix said: “It is very encouraging to see a steady increase in the number of people in our province who are protected with a COVID-19 vaccine. And now, more and more people are fully vaccinated with both of their doses.
“For those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine for your first dose, you have a choice. There is no wrong choice to make. Whether you choose a second AstraZeneca vaccine or have an mRNA vaccine instead, all of our vaccines are safe and highly effective.
“Take the time to think through your options so you are ready when your eight weeks come up, and it is your turn. Whether you return to your pharmacy or go to a mass clinic for an mRNA vaccine, there is enough vaccine for everyone.
“There is so much to gain from the progress we are making, so let’s keep pushing to get as many people as possible fully vaccinated as soon as we can.”
Immunization eligibility
Age-based program
Anyone 12 years or older may now register and book their Dose 1 appointment. Anyone who has received an invitation to book their second dose can also book their appointment.
Book online:Â https://gov.bc.ca/
Or call 1 833 838-2323 (between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Pacific time).
First responder and worker program
Health authorities are contacting workplaces to arrange for workers to be vaccinated with their first and second doses.
AstraZeneca pharmacy program
Invitations to book Dose 2 appointments started on Monday, June 7, 2021.
For people who received their first dose at their local pharmacy, the pharmacy will contact them to book their Dose 2 appointment once they are eligible. People are asked not to call, as phone appointments will not be accepted.
Information on Dose 2:Â http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-
Participating pharmacies are listed on the BC Pharmacy Association website:Â https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/
For people who would prefer an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) instead, once they are eligible, they can book online or by phone at one of the age-based mass clinics.