521 new COVID-19 cases and 8 more deaths in B.C.

“Today, young people 12 to 17 years old may register to receive their vaccine, with more details to come tomorrow”

PROVINCIAL Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix on Wednesday reported 521 new COVID-19 cases, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 140,596 cases in British Columbia.

There have been eight new COVID-19-related deaths, for a total of 1,658 deaths in the province.

There are 4,815 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and a further 133,985 people who tested positive have recovered.

Of the active cases, 340 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 118 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

There have been 77 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 335 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 18 in the Island Health region, 62 in the Interior Health region, 29 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 Heritage Manor (Northern Health). The outbreak at Sandalwood Retirement Resort is over.

Henry and Dix said: “2,623,907 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 135,246 of which are second doses.

“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. Today, young people 12 to 17 years old may register to receive their vaccine, with more details to come tomorrow.

“For anyone immunized before April 15, prior to our online system launching, 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.

“If you are unsure, call 1 833 838-2323 to make sure you are registered or register online at: https://gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated

“If you have yet to book your first dose of vaccine, go online today and join the millions of people who have received their vaccine or booked their appointment for the coming days.

“Help us put the pandemic behind us by staying small and local, and ensuring you are registered and booked for your vaccine today.”