B.C. records 696 new cases of COVID-19 and 6 more deaths

B.C. health officials announced 696new cases of COVID-19 and sixmore deaths on Wednesday.

In a written statement, the provincial governmentsaid there are currently 4,888active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A total of 370people are in hospital, with 139in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are downby four patients from last Wednesday, when 374people were in hospital with the diseaseand up about 17.9per cent from a month ago when 307people were in hospital.

The number of patients in intensive care is downby about nine per cent from 153 a week agoand by 11per cent from a month ago when 156people were in the ICU.

The provincialdeath toll from COVID-19is now 2,092lives lost out of 199,534confirmed cases to date.

There are a total of 24 active outbreaks in assisted living andlong-term care. Affected acute care units of hospitals includeMission Memorial Hospital in Fraser Health,University Hospital of Northern B.C. GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel (Northern Health) andTofino General Hospital (Island Health).

As of Wednesday, 89.3per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccineand 83.6per cent asecond dose.

From Oct 12 to 18, people who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 67.2per cent of cases and from Oct 5 to 18,they accounted for 74.9per cent of hospitalizations, according to the province.

So far, more than eightmillion doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including over threemillion second doses.

Some restrictions lifting

Restrictionson indoor and outdoor gatherings in B.C. will be lifted next Monday.

The revision will be in effect after the deadline Sunday requiring anyone over 12to have two doses of aCOVID-19 vaccine if they want to access such gatherings.

Sporting events, theatre shows, concerts, weddings, funerals and organized parties will be allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity in settings where the B.C. vaccine card is in effect.

The order to remain seated at a table in restaurants and pubs will also be lifted.

Regional health ordersand restrictions currently in effectin the Northern Health andInterior Health authority areas, as well as the eastern Fraser Valley, will remain in place.

Indoor mask requirements will remain in effect for all indoor gatherings and for people moving around within restaurants and pubs.