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The B.C. government has announced 683 new COVID-19 cases, including 64 in the Interior Health region, in the past 24 hours.
The new cases bring the province’s total to 51,983, although the vast majority have already recovered. There are 7,803 active cases in B.C.
Across the province, 374 people are hospitalized with the virus, 76 of whom are in intensive care. There were another eight coronavirus deaths reported on Tuesday, bringing B.C. toll to 901.
“901 of our family, friends, our neighbours and community people,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said.
The province says there have been 17,510 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to date, both the Pfizer and Moderna versions.
“Right now, we have been trending in the right direction in the last few weeks,” Dr. Henry said of declining case counts. “Although the increase today reminds us that we are in a very precarious situation.”
She defended her decision to end liquor service in B.C. tonight at 8 p.m., explaining she had heard of planned New Year’s Eve celebrations that were expecting “several hundred” people.
“I recognize absolutely that these restrictions are yet another challenge the restaurant and food service industry has had to face in what has already been a very tough year. But two hours now is necessary for us to manage a situation that is going to be lasting for many more weeks,” she said.
Dr. Henry noted that in many other jurisdictions around North America, restaurant dining-room service is currently banned.
