B.C. reports 357 new COVID-19 cases, fewest since mid-February

British Columbia reported three new COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, along with 357 new cases — the fewest since mid-February.

It brought the seven-day rolling average down to 449.

“I know it has been tough, but there is a light ahead and it’s coming soon,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said.”

“I’d like to remind everybody though, that our public health and travel restrictions are still in place until the end of this long weekend.”

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Of the new cases, 80 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 210 were in the Fraser Health region, 12 were in the Vancouver Island Health region, 33 were in the Interior Health region and 22 were in the Northern Health region.

There were 4,636 active cases, the lowest since March 1.

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The number of people in hospital fell to 331, with 113 people in intensive care.

“While that situation is an obvious improvement, we continue to face challenges.” Health Minister Adrian Dix said, noting the province was still using hospital surge beds to address higher demand.

“This tells us there continues to be real pressure in our hospital system.”

More than 2.54 million British Columbians, representing just under 50 per cent of B.C.’s entire population, have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Henry presented new data on vaccine effectiveness Thursday, showing a sharp drop off in transmission among those who have been immunized.

“Our vaccine program is highly effective. After three to four weeks, 21 to 28 days, with a single dose a person’s risk in our community of transmitting (COVID) has been reduced by 70 per cent,” she said.

“This means we prevent two of three infections.”

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As of Wednesday, vaccine registration opened for all youth aged 12 to 17 in B.C.

Henry said about 310,000 youth were eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Most of those youth will be immunized in existing vaccine clinics, though the province will distribute some in smaller communities through schools. There will also be after-school clinics.

B.C. has reported 140,953 cases since the start of the pandemic and 1,661 deaths.

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