521 new COVID-19 cases in B.C.; 62 in Interior Health

The steadily declining daily count of COVID-19 cases in B.C. took a reversal today as 521 cases were recorded. That’s up from 411 yesterday and the first time the number has been above 500 since May 13.

The daily case counts in the Interior Heath region have fluctuated significantly over the past couple of weeks, with 62 recorded in the last 24 hours.

"Getting everyone in our province immunized is our pathway forward through the COVID-19 pandemic,” says a joint statement issued today, May 19, by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix. “This will ensure we have enough protection and community immunity to allow us to slowly lift public health and travel restrictions.”

Everyone in B.C. who is 12 or older can now register for a vaccination.

People who registered for vaccines before April 15 may not have their addresses recorded in the Get Vaccinated data base. They need to register so they can be contacted about getting a second dose.

Of the new cases, 355 were in the Fraser Health region, 77 in the Vancouver Coastal Heath region, 18 in the Vancouver Island Health region and 29 in the Northern Health region.

There were eight more deaths, bringing the provincial total to 1,658 since the start of the pandemic.

The number of active cases has dropped from a peak of more than 1,000 a month ago to 4,815 today. Of those, 340 people in hospital, 118 of whom are in intensive care.

You can register for vaccinations at the Get Vaccinated website here or by calling 1-833-838-2323.

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