B.C. Covid case count lowest since mid-March

B.C. has recorded 494 new cases of COVID-19 Friday (May 14), including 33 within Interior Health.

It is the lowest daily total since March 15 when there were 460.

The totals are included in an update prepared by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Overall, B.C. has seen 138,304 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, spread throughout the province thusly:

• 33,787 — Vancouver Coastal (up by 140)
• 80,471 — Fraser Health (up by 288)
• 4,911 — Island Health (up by 8)
• 11,615 — Interior Health (up by 33)
• 7,416 — Northern Health (up by 25)
• 195 — Reside outside of Canada (unchanged)

Henry notes there are 5,548 active cases of the virus Friday, a decrease of 143 from Thursday. There are 387 patients in hospital and 141 in intensive care.

Two more people have died of COVID-19, increasing the province’s death toll to 1,634.

A total of 130,953 people are considered fully recovered from the virus, or 95 per cent of all recorded cases.

The province has now administered 2,393,265 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including 124,880 second doses.

“Today, anyone 25 and older can book their vaccine and by the end of the weekend, all adults 18 and older across B.C. will be eligible,” Henry stated.

To register for a vaccine, there are three ways: through a provincial call-centre between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Pacific time) at 1 833 838-2323, in person at the nearest Service BC location or online, 24-7, at: https://gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated

Update on outbreaks:

·        Sandalwood Retirement Resort independent living in Kelowna has 28 cases: 26 residents and two staff, with two deaths connected to the outbreak.

·        Orchard Haven long-term care in Keremeos has two cases: one resident and one staff.

·        Spring Valley long-term care in Kelowna has 38 cases: 26 residents, 12 staff/other, with six deaths connected to the outbreak.