British Columbia has reported 582 new cases of COVID-19 across the province in the last 24 hours with 12 additional deaths in that span.
Of the 582 new cases, 10 are linked to the Island Health region.
There are currently 8,865 active cases in British Columbia, while 9,732 residents remain under active public health monitoring.
Dr. Bonnie Henry says that 341 are in hospital currently – a decrease of seven from Wednesday – with 78 people in critical care as a result of the virus (decreasing by two from Wednesday).
Health officials note that 8,178 people have received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in B.C.
On Thursday, there were 12 additional deaths related to the virus. This brings the provincial death total over the course of the pandemic to 808.
B.C. has now reported 95 deaths from the virus over the last week.
Since Wednesday’s numbers, there have been 107 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 326 in the Fraser Health region, 10 in the Island Health region, 71 in the Interior Health region, 68 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
As of Thursday, the total number of cases in British Columbia over the course of the pandemic has been 48,609.
Dr. Henry notes that there have been no new health-care facility outbreaks to report on Thursday.
The outbreak at Belvedere Care Centre in Coquitlam is declared over.
There are now 54 active outbreaks in long-term care and assisted living and six in acute care facilities.
“In addition to our health-care workers, immunization of residents in long-term care is now also underway. Given seniors and Elders have been most severely impacted by this virus, this is welcome news for all of us,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix in a joint statement on Thursday.
More vaccines will be available soon as British Columbia is slated to begin receiving doses of the Moderna vaccine next week.
“This Christmas and over the holiday weekend is the time to try the many new virtual activities that have been arranged this year – whether a church service, holiday choral concert or theatre performance,” said health officials.
“Take a walk with those in your household and spread some cheer with neighbourhood carolling, or drop off a warm meal or holiday treats to someone who may be away from their family this year.
Island Health
As of Thursday, the health authority had 65 active cases – 30 (+2) on southern Vancouver Island, 22 (-2) on central Vancouver Island and 13 (-1) on northern Vancouver Island.
Southern Vancouver Island includes the Greater Victoria region, Southern Gulf Islands and the Port Renfrew area.
Central Vancouver Island includes the Cowichan Valley, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni and Tofino areas.
Northern Vancouver Island goes from the Comox Valley to Port Hardy but also includes surrounding areas like Alert Bay and Sointula.
Over the course of the pandemic, the Island Health region has reported 857 cases.
