B.C. reported another 16 deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, along with 566 new cases of the disease.
The 16 fatalities bring the province’s COVID-19 death toll to 543.
It is the first time in more than two weeks that B.C. officials reported fewer than 600 new daily cases.
Officials reported 9,315 active cases, meanwhile — a decrease of 65 from Monday.
The number of people in hospital with the virus rose to 352 with 74 in intensive care.
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The numbers come a day after the province extended its ban on social gatherings through the holidays and into the new year.
B.C. is also expected to receive its first doses of the vaccine next week, with provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry adding that she hopes Health Canada will approve its use soon.
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The first doses will go to health-care workers and seniors living in long-term care, Henry said.
Provincial officials were expected to provide more information about B.C.’s rollout of the vaccine in the coming days.
— With files from The Canadian Press