B.C. records seven COVID-19 related deaths, nearly 550 new infections

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Another seven people have died of COVID-19 in B.C., as the province announces 542 new cases.

Nearly 300 of the new infections are in the Fraser Health region, while over 130 are in Vancouver Coastal Health.

There are now 246 people hospitalized with the virus, including 64 who are in the ICU.

The province says there have been no new outbreaks in health care facilities.

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The province is also reporting 18 additional confirmed cases of variants of concern, though only 11 are considered active cases.

Of the total 200 variant cases, 176 of them are the B.1.1.7 strain (first identified in the U.K.), and the rest are the B.1.351 strain (first discovered in South Africa).

The province says 289,809 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., and 86,616 of them are second doses.

On Wednesday the National Advisory Committee on Immunization issued updated guidance on the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, agreeing with B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s move to lengthen the time between the two doses to four months.

On Monday, Henry said this move — combined with the approval of the AstraZeneca shot — means frontline and essential workers in B.C. may get access to COVID-19 shot sooner than other people in the same age brackets.

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