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B.C. reports 717 cases of COVID-19, three new outbreaks in seniors' care facilities

VICTORIA — British Columbia has reported 717 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the number of active infections in the province to 4,277.
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VICTORIA — British Columbia has reported 717 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the number of active infections in the province to 4,277. 

Over half the latest cases and about 57 per cent of active infections are in the Interior Health region, where public health restrictions have been reinstated in several communities and spread has primarily been linked to unvaccinated people. 

There are 82 people in hospital with the illness, including 39 in intensive care, while the death toll remained the same on Friday at 1,779.

A statement from the Health Ministry reports there are 11 active outbreaks in assisted-living and long-term care homes, up from eight on Thursday. 

Health officials announced this week that all staff and volunteers at seniors' care facilities are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 12. 

Seventy-two per cent of eligible B.C. residents have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, while 82.4 per cent have received at least one shot. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2021. 

The Canadian Press