B.C. records 862 new cases of COVID-19 and 7 more deaths

B.C. health officials announced 862new cases of COVID-19 and sevenmore deaths on Wednesday.

In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dixsaid there are8,906active cases ofthe disease caused by the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A total of 483people are in hospital, 164 of whom are in intensive care.

The new case numbers show B.C.'s rolling caseload averageis on a downward trend, but hospitalizationswhich typically lag behind spikes and dips in new casesareupfrom last Wednesday. At that time,397 people were in hospital, with 120in intensive care.

The provincialdeath toll from the disease is now 1,546. That includes, for the first time in B.C., a person in their 20s who has died of COVID-19.

"This case, as in all cases of young people who pass away, is particularly tragic," Dix told reporters Wednesday.

Few details have been released about the case, but according to a situation report from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, the persondied sometime between April 3 and 10.

Public health is actively monitoring 13,135people across the province who are self-isolating after being exposed to COVID-19.

On Tuesday, Northern Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Dawson Creek andDistrict Hospital in the medical inpatient unit, after two patients tested positive for the virus.

The provincial statement Wednesday said "there is no new update on the variants of concern."

However, the health ministry confirmed that as of April 4, there had been 39 cases of the B1617 variant in B.C. a variant first identified in India, where COVID-19 is now surging.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is now calling B1617 a variant of interest, and more information about its presence in the province will be available later this week.

So far, 1,456,946 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, with 88,335of those being second doses.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) said in a statement transmission in Whistler, a long-running hot spot,has dropped by more than half compared to last week. The authorityidentified 72 new cases this week after confirming179 last week.

VCH saidWednesdayit will be running an additional vaccination clinic dayin Whistler on April 28 for those who missed or were unable to attend theone-week clinic last week.

Incoming travel restrictions

Earlier this week, Premier John Horgan announced Solicitor General Mike Farnworthwould bedrafting orders forstrict new travel measuresthat will come into effectFridayand last until after the May long weekend.

Those orders, Horgan said Monday, are intended to stop people leaving their health authorities for non-essential reasons. There will be random audits of travellers to make sure people are in compliance.

Full details on the official rules will be announced Friday, including a clearer definition of what constitutes "essential travel" and what penalties mightbe in store for those who break the rules.

In the meantime,Farnworth provided a piece of further clarity on Wednesday for two neighbouring health authorities: The minister said Vancouver Coastal Health andFraser Health will be considered a singleregion under the new orders.

Hetold reportersthe restrictions will be mostfocused on catching people travelling for recreation, with roadblocks set up aroundBC Ferries' terminals as well the area ofHighway 1wherepeople leave the Lower Mainland en route tothe Interior.

The province has also asked the tourism industry to reject bookings from people travelling outside their local areas. Restrictionsbanningindoor dining and adult fitness activities at gyms have been extendedfor another five weeks.

Who is eligible for vaccination?

As of Wednesday, British Columbians born in 1991 or earlier can register online, by phone or in-person at a Service B.C. office. Once registered, individuals will be contacted when it is their time to book an appointment.

People born in 1981 or earlierare eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine now through pharmacies and, in some hard-hit areas, special clinics.

Officials have released a list of 13 community health service areas that have seen the highest COVID-19 case rates, whichwill be given top priority through the clinics. Eligibility for those clinics is based on postal code.

People who wish to get the AstraZeneca vaccine through a pharmacy need to book their shot with the pharmacy itself. The province providesa list of participating pharmacies online.Pharmacies have limited supplies of the vaccine.

Also on Wednesday, the Abbotsford School District informed teachers and staffthey are now eligible to receive the Modernaand Pfizer vaccines, with priority being given to those employees who work directly with students.