Another 617 COVID-19 cases in B.C.; 81 in Interior Health region

As vaccines continue to roll out in B.C. the number of new cases keeps climbing with 617 new cases in B.C. over the past 24 hours.

That includes 81 new cases in the Interior Health region, according to a joint statement issued by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix today, Jan. 8.

There were 18 new deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the provincial death toll since the start of the pandemic to 988.

"Most British Columbians have been doing their part, and we know it is frustrating when a few people put so many others at risk,” the statement reads. “Despite this, it is important to know your sustained efforts are saving lives. It will get us that much closer to the days without COVID-19."

In total, 56,632 B.C. residents have tested positive but in the last few weeks almost as many as 46,259 have been vaccinated, with the focus on staff and residents of long-term care homes.

Of the 617 new cases, 320 were in the Fraser Health region, 139 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 27 in the Vancouver Island Health region and 49 in the Northern Health region.

There are 6,118 active cases with 358 people in hospital, 75 of whom are in intensive care. Another 8,755 people are being actively monitored by health officials.

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