DR. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, on Thursday reported 853 new cases, for a total of 128,742 cases in British Columbia.

There has been one new COVID-19-related death, for a total of 1,577 deaths in the province.

There are 7,996 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, with 11,628 people under public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. A further 118,937 people who tested positive have recovered.

Of the active cases, 503 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 178 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

There have been 181 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 574 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 30 in the Island Health region, 43 in the Interior Health region, 25 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

Henry and Dix said: “1,749,375 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 90,296 of which are second doses.

“The focus of the COVID-19 vaccine program is to protect as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, and to address hot spots and reduce transmission everywhere.

“In addition to our age-based program, worker program and pharmacy program, we are using vaccines in hot-spot communities and workplaces. This targeted outreach increases all of our protection by breaking the chains of transmission in these locations.

“No matter what program you are eligible for, everyone in B.C. who is 18 years and older should register either on the Get Vaccinated website or by calling 1 833 838-2323. We are expecting much more vaccine to arrive in the coming weeks. By registering, you will be able to receive the first available appointment.

“With or without a vaccine, we all need to continue to hold steady with our individual efforts – sticking with our layers of protection, staying small and local, and following all of the orders in place.

“Your efforts, kindness and resilience are what will make the difference for all of us to get through this pandemic together.”