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May 12, 2021 1:19 AM -

'What we want to see': B.C. COVID-19 case counts trending downward, vaccinations up

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Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry during a news conference in Victoria. (B.C. Government)

British Columbia recorded 515 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, continuing a downward trend of infections as the vaccination rate accelerates.

Health officials say in a news release that 6,020 people have active infections, 426 of whom are hospitalized, including 141 in intensive care.

Two more people have died, bringing the death toll to 1,624. More than 2.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, 110,516 of which are second doses.

The government is also extending the provincial state of emergency through May 25, saying it would allow health and emergency management officials to keep using extraordinary powers to support the pandemic response.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix urged every adult to register amid ``ample'' vaccine supply.

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