VICTORIA — British Columbia’s provincial government announced 589 new cases of COVID-19 today.
It brings the total number of cases in B.C. since the pandemic began to 79,262, 73,188 of which have recovered.
Here’s the regional breakdown of cases over the past 24 hours:
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are 4,665 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. with 8,040 people under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.
Of the active cases, she says 232 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 63 of whom are in intensive care.
To date, 252,373 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 73,808 of which are second doses.
Sadly, there have been seven new COVID-19 related deaths to bring B.C.’s death toll to 1,355.
Henry says she’s encouraged with the news the federal government has approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
“Unlike the vaccines that have been available to date, this new, two-dose viral vector vaccine has the benefit of being ‘fridge stable,’ making it much easier to transport and distribute around the province.
“This new vaccine will be integrated into our provincial immunization program as delivery and supply is confirmed in the coming weeks. The additional supply will allow us to look at accelerating immunization of priority populations and essential workers.”
