DR. Réka Gustafson, Deputy Provincial Health Officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, on Friday announced 508 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 75,835 cases in British Columbia.

There have been six new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,327 deaths in the province.

To date, 192,942 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 36,923 of which are second doses. Immunization data is available on the COVID-19 dashboard at: www.bccdc.ca

There are 4,486 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 217 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 61 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Currently, 7,699 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and a further 69,970 people who tested positive have recovered.

There have been 116 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 286 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 22 in the Island Health region, 59 in the Interior Health region, 25 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at The Florentine in the Interior Health region. The community outbreak in the community of Canim Lake, also in the Interior Health region, is now over.

Gustafson and Dix added: “The preliminary evidence from the immunizations of health-care workers and Elders and seniors living in long-term care shows us COVID-19 vaccines are proving to be highly effective in reducing outbreaks and protecting those who are most at risk of severe illness and death.

“This is encouraging news for everyone as we look ahead to our provincewide COVID-19 immunization program.

“This has been a difficult journey for all of us. By continuing to follow the public health orders and always using our layers of protection, we will get through these challenging days much more quickly.

“Not every day is easy, but it doesn’t mean we stop doing our part. Each day we recommit to taking the necessary precautions gets us closer to where we want to be.

“Connecting and looking after one another is important to our overall well-being and will help us get through the challenges of this pandemic.

“There are many things we can enjoy safely as the days get longer once again. We can get outside for a hike or snowshoe in a local park, see a friend for a walk and get the boost we need from that safe social connection.

“Let’s use this weekend to reach out to someone who may be on their own and let them know they are not alone. We may be farther apart, but COVID-19 has shown us we have more in common than what separates us.

“We are all susceptible to contracting the virus and passing it onto others – in our homes and communities – and we all have the ability to care for each other and do our part to break the chains of transmission.”