Anyone aged 25 or over will be able to book a vaccine come the end of the weekend as the province ramps up its rollout. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

GOOD DAY

Addition to COVID-19 case counts stays low, vaccine appointments for 18+ by Sunday

May 14, 2021 | 3:13 PM

NANAIMO — British Columbia is ending another week during the COVID-19 pandemic on a high note, with another drop in cases.

A further 494 new cases were reported across B.C. by the province on Friday, May 14 with active cases falling by nearly 150 to 5,548.

Patients in hospital fell considerably to 387 but the number of people in ICU remained steady at 141.

Island Health reported 10 new cases, with active cases falling to 149 including 56 in the central Island region.

There is a data discrepancy between Island Health and the province, based on the timing of COVID-19 results. NanaimoNewsNOW reports local verified data from Island Health.

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Two additional COVID-19 related fatalities were reported by the province, taking B.C.’s death toll to 1,634.

Come the end of the weekend, anyone aged 18 or over will be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through public health for a Pfizer or Moderna shot.

The province has accelerated its distribution of vaccines as more supply has become available.

“As we have seen, our vaccines are working,” a joint statement from the province and public health read. “They are protecting those who are highest risk and as everyone gets vaccinated, they will protect you and the people around you, too.”

Nearly 2.4 million doses of vaccine have been administered to date in B.C.

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