Those aged 12 to 17 should receive information by the end of the week of their vaccination schedule as the province looks to trim the gap between first and second doses. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

JABS JABS JABS

Province eyes speeding up delay between two doses of COVID-19 vaccine

May 18, 2021 | 4:07 PM

NANAIMO — British Columbia has confirmed another 411 new cases of COVID-19.

A joint statement from the province and public health on Tuesday, May 18 confirmed the trend of dwindling case counts. The new daily cases sit well below the rolling seven day average of roughly 550.

Island Health announced 14 new cases for the health authority on Tuesday, with the number of active cases reduced by seven to 119.

Active cases in the central Island region dropped two, to 48 with 27 cases remaining active on the north Island and 44 to the south.

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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Active cases across B.C. dropped to 4,890, the first time since March 18 the number of active cases dipped below 5,000.

The number of people in hospital in the province rose by 10 to 360, including 127 in critical care.

Two additional fatalities linked to COVID-19 were confirmed.

Over 2.56 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca have been administered province-wide, around 95 per cent of which were first doses.

“First doses are well underway and second doses will be coming soon,” the statement read. “With a large, steady vaccine supply and an assurance that most people have their first dose, we will be able to look at how we may be able to accelerate delivery of second doses.”

More information on accelerating B.C.’s 16-week timeline between the two shots is expected early next month.

Those 18 years of age and up are eligible to book a vaccine appointment through public health clinics. The province is expected to reveal plans by the end of the week for immunizing those aged 12 to 17 years old.

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