BC reports 542 new COVID cases, an additional 18 'variants of concern' cases identified

| March 3, 2021 in COVID-19

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Health officials reported 542 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Of the new cases, 131 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 292 were in the Fraser Health region, 31 in Island Health, 43 in Interior Health, and 44 in Northern Health.

In a written statement, Dr. Bonnie Henry also confirmed seven new deaths, bringing BC's death toll to 1,372.

There are 246 people in hospital, a jump of nine patients since last Wednesday, with 64 people currently in ICU.

Officials have confirmed 18 new cases of COVID-19 variants, 11 are active and the remaining people have recovered. 

A total of 176 cases of the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant and 24 cases of the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant have now been identified in BC. 

To date, 289,809 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 86,616 of which are second doses. 

“Our goal is to protect as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, through the available COVID-19 vaccines. With a single primer dose, these vaccines are helping to stop outbreaks and reduce serious illness and death," said Henry in a written statement.

“Setting the second booster dose at 16 weeks allows us to expand the number of people who will have access to these safe and effective vaccines, and may provide more durable and longer lasting protection."

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