By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19 UPDATE

No new COVID-19 deaths as B.C. records 556 cases in 24 hours

Mar 16, 2021 | 3:49 PM

VICTORIA — There were no new COVID-related deaths in B.C. over the last 24 hours but health officials are reporting 556 new cases today (Mar. 16).

In an emailed update, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says 16 of those new cases were recorded in the Interior Health region.

Around B.C., there are 4,999 active cases with 9,511 people under active public health monitoring as a result of exposure to known cases.

Dr. Henry says 280 people are hospitalized, 84 of whom are in intensive care. As of Tuesday, 82,436 people who tested positive for the virus, have recovered.

That brings the B.C. total to 88,929 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic arrived, spread out as follows:

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• 20,803 — Vancouver Coastal (up by 139)
• 52,032 — Fraser Health (up by 331)
• 2,788 — Island Health (up by 27)
• 7,873 — Interior Health (up by 16)
• 5,271 — Northern Health (up by 40)
• 162 — Reside outside of Canada (up by 2)

In addition, 116 new variants of concern cases were identified in the last day, for a total of 996 cases. Of the total variant cases, 130 are active.

To date, 424,517 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, including 87,070 as second doses.

In light of upcoming holidays in March and April, Dr. Henry urged residents to be careful about their activities.

“A reminder for those who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to do so safely and in line with the provincial health officer’s orders,” states Dr. Henry. “That means that last call at restaurants, pubs and liquor stores will be at 8 p.m. on March 17, 2021, to protect our businesses and the people who work in them.”

Vaccine appointment bookings are currently open for people over 83, adding one year each day this week for people 80 and older by the end of the week, along with Indigenous peoples over 65.