What you need to know about COVID-19 in B.C. for April 26

THE LATEST:

• On Monday, health officials said 2,491 more cases have been confirmed since Friday and 17 more people have died.
• The coroner has confirmed that a baby died of COVID-19 in January.
• As of Monday, the provincial death toll from the disease is1,571.
• There are8,199 active COVID-19 cases in B.C.
• So far, 1,635,372 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
• There are484COVID-19 patientsin hospital,including 158 people in critical care.

In their first update in three days, B.C. health officials on Monday announced 2,491 more cases of COVID-19 and 17 more deaths.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also revealed that the coroners service has confirmed the death of a baby from COVID-19 in January. Few details have been released about the child, but Henry said the family lives in the Interior Health region and the child was being treated at B.C. Children's Hospital.

Monday's update included signs that the crestof the pandemic's third wave has now passed. The number of patients in hospital with the novel coronavirus has fallen slightly to 484, with 158 people in intensive care.

The number of active cases has also fallen to 8,199.The provincial death toll from the diseasestands at 1,571 out of126,249 confirmed cases to date.

Public health is actively monitoring 12,340 people across the province who are in self-isolation because ofCOVID-19 exposure.

A total of1,635,372 doses of vaccine have now been administered in the province, including 89,500 second doses.

3 deaths from Interior outbreaks

On Sunday, Interior Health provided an update on outbreaks at three facilities providing long-term care or assisted living in the region.

The outbreak at Cottonwoods Care Centrein Kelowna includes 26 residents and three staff members who are infected. Two deaths have beenconnected to the outbreak.

The Sandalwood Retirement Resort, which provides independent living in Kelowna, has 24 residents and one staff member who are infected. One death has beenconnected to the outbreak.

Meanwhile, in Keremeos, one resident and one staff member at Orchard Haven long-term care have tested positive for COVID-19.

Interior Health said asymptomatic testing has been underway since Thursday and has contributed to identifying additional casesat the sites.

Vaccinations

British Columbians aged 60 and older who have registered to be vaccinated against COVID-19 have begun receiving invitations from the province to book their shots, while everyone 18 and older can now register for their vaccination.

More than 90,000 residents aged 60 or older are on track to get their vaccination appointments.

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.

The province is also continuing to vaccinatepeople between the ages of 40 and 65 with the AstraZeneca-Oxfordvaccine in local pharmacies throughout the provinceand at some special clinics.

There arethree ways to register for vaccinations:

• Online through the "Get Vaccinated" portal.
• By phone through the provincial phone line at 1-833-838-2323.
• In person at any Service B.C. location.

Staying close to home

Travel hubs such as ferry terminals were quiet over the weekend as new travel restrictions were put in place Friday torestrictnon-essential travel between threeregions in the province.

The travel order is effect until Tuesday, May 25 the end of the May long weekend and could result in a fine of $575 if contravened.

Vancouver's mayor threatenedto use a court order against a restaurant in the city's Kitsilano neighbourhood that has previously defied public health orders.

On Friday evening, Corduroy restaurant held a rally with dozens of unmasked protesters blocking the sidewalk andstreet to denounce health orders that prevent indoor dining to limit the spread of COVID-19.

It wasn't clear if anyone was dining inside the restaurant Friday night. On Saturday afternoon, the restaurant appeared closed.

• Help CBC British Columbia tell your COVID-19 stories

Read more:

• Members of West Vancouver's Hollyburn Country Club are calling for CEO Ed McLaughlin to be removed after it was revealed the club had planned an exclusive pop-up vaccine clinic for members.
• With dozens of flights still landing at Vancouver's international airport every day, a researcher studying how borders are managed during pandemics says the latest measures put in place to limit non-essential travel in B.C. don't go far enough.
• After a busy production season because of COVID-19, an industry insider says Hollywood North is likely to continue booming.
• The phone line people turn to from Burnaby to Boston Bar for empathy and support during emotional distress has marked 50 years in service. Now, as the Fraser Health Crisis Line scrambles during the pandemic to meet demand, volunteers are lining up to help.

What's happening elsewhere in Canada

As of Sunday, Canada hasreported 1,172,004 cases of COVID-19, with a seven per cent decreasein active cases from the week before.

A total of23,926 people have died of the disease.