582 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. on Christmas Eve

There have been 582 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. in the last 24 hours, including 70 in the Interior Health region, according to a joint statement released by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix today, Dec. 24.

That brings the provincial total to 48,609 cases since the pandemic started.

READ MORE: 70 new COVID-19 cases in Interior Health region

Another 12 people died in B.C. in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 808.

Of the new cases, 326 were in the Fraser Health region, 107 in Vancouver Coastal, 10 on Vancouver Island and 68 in the Northern Health region.

There are 8,865 active cases in B.C. with 341 people in hospital, 78 of whom are intensive care. Another 9,732 people are being actively monitored.

On the positive side, 8,178 people have received the Pfizer vaccine.

"In addition to our health-care workers, immunization of residents in long-term care is now also underway,” the statement reads. “Given seniors and elders have been most severely impacted by this virus, this is welcome news for all of us.’

This will be the last update of COVID-19 cases until Tuesday of next week, Dec. 29.

"This Christmas and over the holiday weekend is the time to try the many new virtual activities that have been arranged this year – whether a church service, holiday choral concert or theatre performance,” the statement reads. "We can all safely connect with loved ones near and far – those in our community, in different parts of the province and around the world with the many tools available to us.”

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