564 new COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths reported in B.C.

BC reported 564 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, bringing the province's total since the pandemic started to 62,976.

There are 4,450 actives cases and 15 new deaths.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that despite the number of COVID-19 cases trending downward, the province is continuing to see new community outbreaks and clusters.

They say residents need to work to break the chains of transmission.

To date, 104,901 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 1,663 of which are second doses.

COVID-19 community cluster declared in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region

Interior Health has declared a COVID-19 community cluster in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.

It says 215 people in the region have tested positive for COVID-19 in since January 1st, including 74 from nearby First Nations communities.

It says most of the cases have been linked to recent social events and gatherings in Williams Lake.

The health authority says 158 cases are currently active and residents of the region must strictly follow public health orders to reduce the spread of the virus.