B.C. health officials are reporting 682 new cases of COVID-19 and one new death today.

There were 76 new cases in Interior Health, although 36 of those cases are historic cases from 2020 identified through a data review.

Fraser Health had 333 new cases, with another 229 in the Vancouver Coastal Health, 23 in Northern Health, 19 on Vancouver Island, and two new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

Health officials also reported 144 new confirmed COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern for a total of 1,510 cases, with 171 active cases. This includes 1,357 cases of the B.1.1.7 (U.K.) variant, 43 cases of the B.1.351 (South Africa), variant and 110 cases of the P.1 (Brazil) variant.

Active cases have increased to 5,409, with 314 people in hospital, 83 in intensive care. Yesterday, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry said B.C. was in its third wave of the pandemic. Another 9,488 people are being actively monitored by public health monitoring as a result of an identified exposure to known cases.

To date, there have been 557,508 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been administered in B.C., 87,168 of which are second doses. Earlier in the day, the province said people who are clinically extremely vulnerable will be able to start making vaccine appointments on Monday.

“For many, knowing that COVID-19 would compound what are already serious illnesses has created added challenge and stress – concerns that will soon be relieved,” Henry said.

There are now 86,307 people who are considered to have recovered from COVID-19, about 92 per cent of the total 93,253 cases in British Columbia.

Outdoor religious services now allowed in B.C.

Dr. Bonnie Henry also says her order on gatherings and events has been amended today to provide a variance for outdoor religious services.

“Worship service organizers must ensure COVID-19 safety plans are in place for all outdoor services and all attendees follow those plans,” she said.

“While we are immunizing more people every day, and in parallel slowly turning the dial on the restrictions we have in place, we must remember the risk for all of us remains high, particularly with indoor activities – whether for work or social reasons.”

You’ll find the of the amended order online here.