DR. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, on Wednesday announced 619 new cases of COVID-19, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 39,337 cases in British Columbia.

There were 16 new COVID-19-related deaths for the second day in a row, and the total number of deaths now stands at 559.

There are 9,329 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 338 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 75 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Currently, 11,526 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. A further 28,448 people who tested positive have recovered.

There have been 121 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 384 new cases in the Fraser Health region, five in the Island Health region, 81 in the Interior Health region, 27 in the Northern Health region and one new case with people who reside outside of Canada.

There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Courtyard Terrace Assisted Living. The outbreak at Royal Ascot Care Centre is over. There have been no new community outbreaks.

Henry and Dix added: “Today, we shared our COVID-19 vaccine strategy in step with federal approval of the first safe and effective vaccine available in Canada. Next week, British Columbians will begin to receive the Pfizer vaccine, launching our provincewide immunization program.

“This is a significant turning point in our B.C. COVID-19 response that, simply put, will save lives.

“As we recognize this milestone and look ahead, let’s remember the importance of continuing to work together, to follow the public health orders and to use our layers of protection until the vaccine is available for all of us.”