Posted: Jan 08, 2021 3:50 PM PT | Last Updated: January 10 People wait in line for their COVID-19 vaccine in Vancouver on Dec. 22, 2020.(Ben Nelms/CBC) comments B.C. health officials announced 617 new cases of COVID-19 and 18 more deaths on Friday. In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said 358 people are in hospital, 75 of whom are in intensive care. A total of 988 people in B.C. have died due to COVID-19 since the pandemic began. There are currently 6,118 active cases of coronavirus in the province, with public health monitoring 8,755 people who are in self-isolation due to COVID-19 exposure.