Another 1,001 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in B.C. in the last 24 hours, including 93 in the Interior Health region.

The fact that 841 of those new cases were in the Lower Mainland lends weight to the province's efforts to restrict non-essential travel into and out of that area of the province.

“By staying in our local communities, we will prevent the spread of this virus and move forward together to a time when it is behind us,” says a joint statement issued today, April 23, by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

Of the new cases, 626 were in the Fraser Health region, 215 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 26 in the Vancouver Island Health region and 39 in the Northern Health region.

There were four more deaths, bringing the provincial total to 1,554.

There are 8,442 active cases in B.C. with 486 people in hospital, 160 of whom are in intensive care.

“Everyone 18 years and older is now eligible to register for their vaccine,” the release says. “We encourage everyone to register on the Get Vaccinated website – whether they are getting their vaccine as part of the age-based program, worker program or at their local pharmacy.”

The Get Vaccinated website is here.

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