B.C. has had 153 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths, in past 24 hours

Another 153 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in British Columbia in the past 24 hours, including 39 in the Interior.

The new cases bring the total positive tests in the province to 145,996, but there remains 1,910 active cases. Active cases dropped by 65 since Wednesday.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped by 19 since Wednesday, to 176, and 49 of these people are being treated in ICU.

Four more COVID-positive people have died in B.C., bringing the total deaths to 1,729. In the Interior, there remains 152 COVID-19 deaths to date.

There remains 381 active COVID-19 cases in the Interior. Twelve Interior residents remain hospitalized with the virus, eight of whom are in ICU.

Another 73,345 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total doses to 3,823,103. Of these 443,562 have been second doses.

As of Friday, 74.9 per cent of all adults in B.C. and 72.4 per cent of those 12 and older have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. About eight per cent of those 12 and older have received their second dose.

Those who haven't registered for their vaccine can do so here.

“It is important to note that invitations to book a second dose will only be sent after eight weeks," Dr. Henry said. "At this point, given the strong demand, appointments are being booked in most locations two to three weeks later. This interval is well within the safe range for everyone and data shows it may lead to a stronger and longer-lasting immune response."

During her modelling presentation Thursday, Dr. Henry noted that close to 100 per cent of the new cases being found in B.C. are now so-called "variants of concern." Most of these include the B.1.1.7 and the P.1 variant, although a small number of the newer B.1.617.2 variants have also been found.

Most variants of concerns have been found to be more easily transmissible.

Photo: Castanet News