BC reported its highest number of daily cases and hospitalizations since January to end the work week.
The 737 new cases reported on Friday bring the province’s active case count to 5,207.
Health officials also confirmed 292 people in hospital with the virus, the highest number since January and a jump of 23 patients since Monday.
There have been 68 new confirmed COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern in our province, for a total of 1,200 cases.
This includes 1,094 cases of the B.1.1.7 (U.K.) variant, 41 cases of the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant and 65 cases of the P.1 (Brazil) variant.
Of the total cases, 149 are active and the remaining people have recovered.
NEW: Our COVID-19 vaccine rollout is ahead of schedule. Share the weekly schedule with your community and help a senior…
Posted by Government of British Columbia on Friday, March 19, 2021
To date, 490,022 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in BC, 87,139 of which are second doses.
As of Friday, vaccine appointment bookings are open for people over 80.
“With our AstraZeneca/SII supply for the coming weeks confirmed, we are able to start immunizing our front-line workers,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry in a written statement.
“As more vaccine becomes available, we will be able to expand to even more people on our front lines.”
On Thursday, Henry said that while small outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are now permitted, it could be months before more restrictions are eased.
