On Dec. 15, B.C. reported 522 new cases of COVID-19 from 6,521 tests. There are now 9,860 active cases in the province and 31,866 recoveries.  

Right now, 361 people are hospitalized, with 93 of these in intensive care.  

Of the new cases, 37 were in the Northern Health region, from 261 tests. There are 367 active cases and 986 recoveries. In the region, 48 people are in the hospital with 18 of these in intensive care.  

They also reported 21 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 668 deaths since the start of the pandemic.  

B.C. received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. The first approved COVID-19 vaccine is being administered to health-care workers who work in long-term care homes and front-line health-care workers essential to the COVID-19 response. 

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, provided comments on the vaccine in their daily COVID update. 

“Today is a momentous day in our province with the start of our first COVID-19 vaccine clinics. With immunizations now underway, those who are most vulnerable to severe illness have one more layer of protection that will get stronger as each new person gets immunized. 

“Even as we look to brighter days ahead, we must remember that the pandemic is far from over. This is why, as we enter this next stage, using our layers of protection and following all of the public health orders is more important than ever. 

“No one wants to experience the tragedy of losing a loved one when this day of hope is upon us. So let’s make Dec. 15 a day for doing all we can to protect our communities and the people we care for most.” 

Read the full update HERE.