B.C. records 322 new cases of COVID-19 and 9 more deaths

B.C. health officials announced 322new cases of COVID-19 and ninemore deaths on Wednesday.

In a written statement, the provincial government said there are currently 3,015 active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A total of 318people are in hospital, with109 in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are down by 16 per cent from last Wednesday, when 379people were in hospital with the disease.

The number of patients in intensive care is the same asa week ago.

The provincialdeath toll from COVID-19is now 2,313lives lost out of 216,334confirmed cases to date.

The regional breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• 100new cases in Fraser Health, which has 1,095total active cases.
• 86new cases in Interior Health, which has 606total active cases.
• 50new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, which has 472 total active cases.
• 44 new cases in Northern Health, which has 415 total active cases.
• 42new cases in Island Health, which has 421 total active cases.
• There are nonew cases among people who reside outside of Canada, a group which has sixtotal active cases.

There are a total of 11active outbreaks in assisted living, long-term and acute care facilities. The province has declared outbreaks over atVillage by the Station, an assisted living facility in Penticton, and Sun Pointe Village, a facility in Kelowna.

An outbreak was declared at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson from Providence Health Care. Ten patients have tested positive in the outbreak, and two general acute care units are closed to further admissions and visitors.

Acute care outbreaksinclude:

• Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
• Ridge Meadows Hospital.
• Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops
• St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver

As of Wednesday, 91 per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccineand 87.4 per cent asecond dose.

From Nov. 16 to 22, people who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 58.1 per cent of cases and from Nov. 9,they accounted for 69.2 per cent of hospitalizations, according to the province.

So far, 8.5million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including fourmillion second doses.

Bookings for children under 12 now open

British Columbia will start vaccinating children aged five to 11 against COVID-19 next week.

Officials said Tuesday invitations to book appointments will start going out Monday to families with children who have been registered through the province's portal, with a number of same-day appointments available.

Health Minister Adrian Dix saysthe province will have enough vaccine for every child. He is urging families toregister their childrenfor a vaccination appointment.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the vaccination of children is important to protect them from COVID-19, especially duringa fourth wave that has continued to affectchildren.

"I don't think most parents need convincing," said Henry, speaking Wednesday morning on CBC's The Early Edition.

The province said roughly 91,000 children have already been registered for their vaccine and are on the list to be contacted by text or email to book an appointment for their shots.