Number of new COVID-19 cases in BC surges to 716

The rolling three day average of new COVID-19 cases within Island Health remained at 72.

It would be about two weeks before additional positive cases were reported across North Escambia.

Officials confirmed 71 new COVID-19 variant cases in B.C. on Wednesday, for a total of 1,581 variant cases recorded in the province.

There were 96 total cases in Escambia County at the time, including 15 in Cantonment and 66 in Pensacola. The first positives in Walnut Hill and McDavid were reported April 6.

Of the active cases, 303 individuals are now hospitalized with COVID-19, 85 of whom are in intensive care.

There are now 5,573 active cases of coronavirus in the province, the highest number since January 9, with public health monitoring 9,696 people across B.C. due to COVID-19 exposure.

In an update Wednesday, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced another 716 diagnoses. There are 85 people being treated in intensive care units in the province, Henry and Dix said.

Henry and Dix said 148 VOC cases are considered active.

As of 8am today, 329 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised.

The order says worship services can include up to 50 people, as well as more people in vehicles.

Shots are available across B.C. for people aged 76 or older, and Indigenous people over the age of 55.

A further 86,857 people who tested positive have recovered.

For example, teachers in Surrey, a city the province described as B.C.'s "highest risk area", were able to get the shot starting Wednesday.