The number of new Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases detected in a day dropped below 300 for the first time in months.
That's among the new data released today by the province. Over the Friday (May 21) to Sunday (May 23) period, 974 new cases of the virus were detected: 356 in the 24-hour period from May 21 to 22, 325 between May 22 to May 23, and 293 between May 23 to May 24. The province currently has 3,953 active cases.
"Of the active cases, 292 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 96 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation," says Dr. Bonnie Henry and health minister Adrian Dix in a joint statement. That's 27 fewer in hospital and 11 fewer in ICU than last reported.
Over the same period, the province has recorded 12 more deaths.
Since the last announcement 995 people have recovered, according to the province.
The Fraser health region still leads the province in new cases with 630 over the 72-hour period. In Vancouver Coastal 157 were reported. Interior health saw 117 new cases, Northern health recorded 44 and Island health has just 25 new cases.
"Today is one day closer to putting this pandemic behind us. It's the decisions we make right now and continue to make in the coming days and weeks that will make all the difference in our efforts to continue pushing COVID-19 numbers down," the pair say in the statement.
On the vaccine side of things, the province says 2,738,344 people have received one dose and an additional 147,144 have received two doses meaning around 56 per cent of the province has been at least partially vaccinated.
Tomorrow the province plans to announce a restart plan as vaccination numbers continue to climb.
"As we look to tomorrow and the announcement of the restart plan, we encourage everyone to stay the course today. Until tomorrow's announcement, there are no changes for individuals or businesses," says Henry and Dix in the statement.
It is expected some dining restrictions will be lifted Tuesday (May 25).
-- with files from Glen Korstrom
