Health officials say there have been 853 new cases of COVID-19 and one death from the virus reported today in the province.

The single death today was in Interior Health, which also saw 43 new cases reported.

Elsewhere, there were 574 new cases in Fraser Health, 181 in Vancouver Coastal Health, 30 in Island Health and 25 in Northern Health.

The number of people in hospital is now 503, which is down slightly from Wednesday, although the number of people in intensive care units have reached a new one-day record today, at 178.

Active cases are now at 7,996 across B.C., which is a modest 13 fewer active cases than yesterday.

Meanwhile, 43,966 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the past 24 hours, which makes today the third-highest total for vaccine immunization in B.C. In total, 1,749,375 vaccine doses have been administered, and 90,296 of those are second doses. That means 38.6 per cent of the 4.3 million people in B.C. aged 18 and older have now received a vaccine dose.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the age-based vaccine program is about to “accelerate,” as vaccine deliveries to B.C. will go up substantially starting next week. As of today, anyone in the province aged 58 and older can book a vaccine appointment through a mass vaccination clinic.

Following the news conference, Health Minister Adrian Dix tweeted that people 50 and older will be able to book a vaccine appointment by next Thursday, May 6.

Editor’s Note: During a news conference the province had released slightly different new case numbers than what was stated in a news release issued later in the afternoon. These changes have been reflected in the story.

If you have registered, you will be contact to book if you are:

Over 56 years old (born in 1965) – at midnight tonight

Over 54 years old (1967 or earlier) – on Sun, May 2

Over 52 years old (born in 1969) – on Tues, May 4

Over 50 years old (born in 1971) – on Thurs, May 6

— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) April 29, 2021