B.C. announces 572 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest total since mid-March

B.C.'s curve continued to bend downWednesday as health officials announced 572 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest total since March 20.

In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said there are 6,877 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C.

The province recorded no new deaths.

Hospitalizations,which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, remain high at 481, with 161 of those people in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizationsare down by roughly sevenper cent from last Wednesday, when 515people were in hospital with the disease.

The number of patients in intensive care is downby about sixper cent from 171a week ago.

The province introduced a "circuit breaker"-style lockdown on March 29, which included a pause on indoor dining and indoor adult group fitness activities.

Henrysaid this weekthe province is starting to see the efforts of those restrictions, which remain in place until May 25.

The provincialdeath toll from the disease stands at1,594.

The province did not have data available Wednesday on the number of people under public health monitoring.

Henry and Dix said COVID-19 outbreaks at the Craigdarroch Care Home in Victoria and Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert, B.C.,are now over.

Teens to be immunized

As of Wednesday, 1,943,230 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, with 93,656of those being second doses. About 43 per cent of eligible British Columbians have now received a first dose.

Henry confirmed Wednesdaythat teenswill now be part of B.C.'s immunization plan.

Earlier that day, Health Canada approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on people 12 to 15 years old. It's the first vaccine to be authorized for use in this younger age category.

The vaccine was already approved for people 16 and older, but B.C. had only set aside vaccines for those aged 16 and 17who are clinically vulnerable.

Henry said about 300,000people between the ages of 12 and 17in B.C.will now be eligible to receive vaccines.

She said kidscould possibly could get them before the end of the school year, although the details still need to be sorted out.

The province also announced Tuesday that pregnant British Columbians aged 16 and older are now eligible to book a shot.

Online appointments aren't availablefor people who are pregnant, butthey can call the province's booking line at 1-833-838-2323to secure a slot

Everyone 18 and older in British Columbia canregister for their vaccinationnow if they have not already done so. This can be done onlinethrough the "Get Vaccinated" portal, by calling1-833-838-2323, or in person at any Service B.C. location.

Registering for a vaccine is not the same as booking the appointment to get your shot. Once registered, users receive a confirmation code. They thenwait for an email, text or call telling them they are eligible and can then booktheir vaccine appointment using that code.