DR. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, on Thursday announced 694 new COVID-19 cases, for a total of 133,619 cases in British Columbia.

There has been one new COVID-19-related death, for a total of 1,595 deaths in the province.

There are 6,802 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and a further 125,025 people who tested positive have recovered. Due to incomplete data, the number of people under public health monitoring and self-isolation requirements was not included in Thursday’s report.

Of the active cases, 457 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 154 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

There have been 153 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 445 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 17 in the Island Health region, 52 in the Interior Health region, 27 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

Henry and Dix said: “1,995,496 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 95,868 of which are second doses.

“Our immunizations are going up quickly, and the ages for those who are eligible are rapidly coming down. Today, anyone 49 and older can book their vaccine. That will continue to decrease in the coming days.

“Our B.C. immunization committee and public health teams are actively looking at how, where and when to best incorporate youth aged 12-17 into our age-based program. Details will be provided once plans are finalized.

“We have had our first probable case of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) following an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination. This is a rare but serious condition.

“There is a test and treatment, but of course recognizing symptoms and getting treatment early on is very important. If you have had a vaccine – any vaccine – in the last four to 28 days and are feeling unwell, call 811 or contact your health-care provider.

“Every vaccine helps protect you and those around you. We encourage everyone to get immunized with any of the COVID-19 vaccines as soon as you are eligible.

“To date, over 192,000 people in B.C. have completed the provincewide SPEAK survey, and we want to get that number up as high as possible. Please take a few minutes to complete the SPEAK survey before the May 9 deadline on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website at: www.bccdc.ca/covid19survey

“What we are doing in B.C. is working and bringing us closer to the end of this pandemic every day, so let’s keep our momentum going. Let’s continue to follow all of the public health measures, to get vaccinated when it is our turn and continue to push forward though this storm.”