BC reports 697 new COVID cases and nearly 2 million people vaccinated

BC health officials reported 697 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

That brings the province's active case to 7,161, down from the 8,089 recorded at this time last week.

Of the new cases, 142 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 456 were in the Fraser Health region, 19 were in Island Health, 65 were in Interior Health, and 14 were in Northern Health.

There are currently 486 people in hospital with the virus, down 14 patients from last Tuesday.

Of those hospitalized with COVID-19, 164 are in ICU or critical care.

One death has been attributed to the virus in the past 24 hours.

Earlier on Tuesday, the BC government announced that pregnant persons 16 and older are now eligible to book their vaccination appointment.

“The best way to reserve your vaccine dose is to register on the Get Vaccinated website or by calling 1 833 838-2323. Everyone 18 and older should ensure they do this right away," said Dr. Bonnie Henry in a written statement.

“With the additional vaccine supply now available, we are accelerating our vaccine delivery to people throughout the province to get vaccines into arms as soon as possible."

To date,1,910,162 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in BC, 89,457 of which are second doses.