B.C. reports 16 deaths from COVID-19, 566 new cases

B.C. reported another 16 deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, along with 566 new cases of the disease.

The 16 fatalities bring the province’s COVID-19 death toll to 543.

5:04 B.C. reports 566 new cases of COVID-19, 16 additional deaths

It is the first time in more than two weeks that B.C. officials reported fewer than 600 new daily cases.

Of the new cases, 297 were in the Fraser Health region and 136 were in Coastal Health. Interior Health reported 74 cases, Northern Health recorded 48 cases, and Island Health had 11.

1:47 B.C. social restrictions extended through Christmas and New Year’s

Officials reported 9,315 active cases, meanwhile — a decrease of 65 from Monday.

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The number of people in hospital with the virus rose to 352 with 74 in intensive care.

2:04 Canada could get first COVID-19 vaccines next week

The numbers come a day after the province extended its ban on social gatherings through the holidays and into the new year.

B.C. Premier John Horgan said Tuesday that approximately 4,000 high-risk people will receive immunizations by the end of next week.

Horgan said the government will provide an update on the province’s immunization program on Wednesday.

— With files from The Canadian Press