7 more people die of COVID-19 in B.C., as 661 new cases confirmed

British Columbia announced 661new cases of COVID-19 and sevenmore deaths on Wednesday.

In a written statement, the provincial Health Ministrysaid there are currently 5,791active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A total of 288people are in hospital, with 137in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are upby 10per cent from last Wednesday, when 261people were in hospital with the disease.

The number of patients in intensive care is upby about 6per cent from 129a week ago.

The provincialdeath toll from the disease is now 1,873lives lost out of 176,480confirmed cases to date.

The regional breakdown ofdeaths over the last 24 hours are:

• Twoin Vancouver Coastal Health.
• Three in Interior Health.
• Two in Island Health.

As of Wednesday, 86.1per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccineand 78.6per cent asecond dose.

So far, 7.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including 3.6 millionsecond doses.

The regional breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• 237 new cases in Fraser Health, which has 1,744total active cases.
• 196new cases in Interior Health, which has 1,536 total active cases.
• 99new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, which has 1,037total active cases.
• 66 new cases in Island Health, which has 615total active cases.
• 62new cases in Northern Health, which has 849total active cases.
• There is onenew caseamong people who reside outside of Canada, a group which has 10total active cases.

There are a total of 24active outbreaks in assisted living and long-term care. Of those, 14are in Interior Health, four arein Fraser Health, one is in the Island Health region and two are in Northern Health.

People who aren't fully vaccinated accounted for76.5per centof cases from Sept.7-13, and 87.3per cent of hospitalizationsfrom Aug. 31 through to Sept. 13.

The province says that after adjusting for age, people who are not vaccinated are 37.9times more likely to be hospitalized because of COVID-19 than those with two shots.

Mandatory vaccines and proof

British Columbians over the age of 12 are now required to prove their vaccination status to enter some businesses and participate in some activities, including dining in restaurants, attending films and concertsor visiting a fitness facility.

Adults aged 19 and over also need to show a piece of government-issued photo ID along with their vaccination card.

Until Sept. 26, the immunization record card British Columbians receivewhen they get their shots will beaccepted as proofin order "to give everyone time to get their B.C. vaccine card," according to the province.

After that date,people will need to present a digital or hard copy of a provincial vaccine card, which can be accessed through the provincialHealth Gateway website.

All B.C. health-care workers must also be vaccinated to continue working as of Oct. 26 and this applies to students, physicians, residents and contractors.

On Monday, the province extended a vaccine mandate to include all health-care workers. Health officialshad previously announced themandate for workers inlong-term care homesand assisted living facilities.

If yourimmunization record is wrong and your name doesn't match your other identification, you can call 1-833-838-2323 to have it corrected.

Tap herefor more details on the vaccine card program.