508 new COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths reported in B.C.; BC has rolled out the next stages of its age-based COVID-19 vaccination plan

B.C. is reporting 508 new cases of COVID-19, pushing active infections to 4,479.

Nine more people have died due to the illness, bringing the death toll in the province to 1,128.

There have been 110,566 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in B.C., including 2,202 second doses.

The province is reporting new outbreaks at two hospitals, one in Kamloops and the other in New Westminster, as well as at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say in a joint statement the risk from the virus in B.C. remains high and B.C. is not at point where public health rules can be lifted.

BC has rolled out the next stages of its age-based COVID-19 vaccination plan

BC has rolled out the next stages of its age-based COVID-19 vaccination plan set to begin in April once the most vulnerable groups are immunized.

Those due to get the shot by end of March include residents and staff at long-term care homes, people 80 or older and Indigenous elders over 65.

The program will then expand to people between the ages of 75 and 79 followed by 70 to 74 year olds and those with severe health conditions that put them at high risk for infection.

Younger people will then get the vaccine in decreasing five-year age groups.

The aim is to immunize 4.3 million people by the end of September, though health officials say timing depends on vaccine supply.