By Dylana Kneeshaw

covid-19 UPDATE

Interior Health region records 70 new COVID-19 cases overnight

Dec 24, 2020 | 12:50 PM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health says COVID-19 cases have increased in the region, with 70 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

An emailed statement from the health authority says 675 cases are active as of Thursday (Dec. 24). 29 people are in hospital, with six being treated in intensive care.

There have been no new deaths so the toll remains unchanged at 18 virus-related fatalities since the pandemic began.

Interior Health also gave an update on active outbreaks, as stated below.

· Teck mining operations has 16 IH cases linked to the outbreak.

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· McKinney Place long term care in Oliver has 75 cases.

· Village by the Station long-term care in Penticton has eight cases.

· Mountainview Village long-term care in Kelowna has 15 cases.

· Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna has 14 cases.

The province recorded 582 new cases today, and a dozen more virus-related fatalities. There have now been 808 deaths since the pandemic arrived in the province.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are 8,865 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. There are now 341 people hospitalized, with 78 in intensive care.

The new cases bring the total case count in B.C. to 48,609, spread through the province as follows:

• 11,535 — Vancouver Coastal (up 107)
• 30,885 — Fraser Health (up by 326)
• 857 — Island Health (up by 10)
• 3,411 — Interior Health (up by 71)
• 1,723 — Northern Health (up by 68)
• 107 — Reside outside of Canada (unchanged)

So far, Dr. Henry says 8,178 people have received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Heading into Christmas holidays, the provincial health officer urged British Columbians to follow current health guidelines.

“This Christmas and over the holiday weekend is the time to try the many new virtual activities that have been arranged this year – whether a church service, holiday choral concert or theatre performance.

“Take a walk with those in your household and spread some cheer with neighbourhood carolling, or drop off a warm meal or holiday treats to someone who may be away from their family this year.

“We can all safely connect with loved ones near and far – those in our community, in different parts of the province and around the world with the many tools available to us.