Vancouver Island adds 55 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths

Across the province, 457 cases were identified over the past 24 hours, including the cases found in the island region.

Across the province, 457 cases were identified over the past 24 hours, including the cases found in the island region.

There are currently 4,829 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including 579 active cases in the Island Health region, according to the B.C. ministry of health.

Island Health data identified the locations of 451 active cases Tuesday, including 145 in the South Island, 259 in the Central Island and 47 in the North Island.

Over the past 24 hours, two people died of COVID-19 in British Columbia, according to the health ministry. One death was reported in the Fraser Health region and one occurred in the Northern Health region.

Since the pandemic began, 2,131 people have died of COVID-19 in B.C., including 89 deaths reported in the Island Health region.

Earlier Tuesday, health officials announced that all British Columbians will be offered a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if they would like one.

The booster shots will be offered to select populations first, similar to how the first doses of vaccine were rolled out late last year.

Between now and December, third doses will be offered to clinically extremely vulnerable people who are immunosuppressed, residents in long-term care, and residents in rural and remote Indigenous communities.