Health Minister Adrian Dix and Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provide an update on COVID-19 on December 17, 2021. (Image Credit: BC Government Flickr)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19 UPDATE

BC’s Omicron case count more than doubles in past 24 hours, while active cases increase to 4,313

Dec 17, 2021 | 4:30 PM

VICTORIA — Active COVID-19 cases in B.C grew past 4,000 today (Dec. 17), with the province reporting 789 new cases.

On the heels of newly announced restrictions today, the province says there are now 4,313 active cases of COVID-19 (up by 435), with 191 people in hospital (up by 7), and 74 people in intensive care (up by 4).

There have also been three COVID-related deaths in the last day, none of which were recorded in Interior Health.

The new/active cases include:

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• 186 new cases in Fraser Health * Total active cases: 1,182
• 286 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health * Total active cases: 1,228
• 131 new cases in Interior Health * Total active cases: 688
• 39 new cases in Northern Health * Total active cases: 239
• 147 new cases in Island Health * Total active cases: 975
• no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada * Total active cases: one

According to latest data from the health ministry’s update, there have also been 302 cases of the Omicron variant of concern identified in B.C.:

• Fraser Health: 58
• Vancouver Coastal Health: 93
• Interior Health: five
• Northern Health: one
• Island Health: 145

There has also been one new health-care facility outbreak at Lions Gate Hospital in Vancouver Coastal Health.

As of Friday, 86.9 per cent of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.5 per cent have received their second dose.

In addition, 91.6 per cent of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 88.7 per cent received their second dose and 15 per cent have received a third dose.