165 news cases of COVID-19 in B.C.; 42 in Interior Health

B.C. health officials are reporting 165 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., 42 of which are in the Interior Health region, for a total of 145,695 since the pandemic began.

There are currently 2,051 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 203 people hospitalized with 57 of whom are in intensive care.

There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours, meaning the death toll remains at 1,722, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minster Adrian Dix said in a press release issued today, June 8.

To date 74.2% of all adults in B.C., and 71.9% of those 12 and older, have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In total, 3,685,340 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 345,508 of which are second doses.

"It is very encouraging to see a steady increase in the number of people in our province who are protected with a COVID-19 vaccine. And now, more and more people are fully vaccinated with both of their doses," Dr. Henry and Dix said in the release.

Those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine for their first dose have a choice.

"There is no wrong choice to make. Whether you choose a second AstraZeneca vaccine or have an mRNA vaccine instead, all of our vaccines are safe and highly effective," Dr. Henry and Dix said.

"Take the time to think through your options so you are ready when your eight weeks come up, and it is your turn. Whether you return to your pharmacy or go to a mass clinic for an mRNA vaccine, there is enough vaccine for everyone."

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