Interior Health has first confirmed cases of Omicron

The first cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant have been confirmed in the Interior Health (IH) region.

In an update Tuesday, the Health Ministry said there are now 44 confirmed cases in B.C. and three of those are in IH.

The province does not release where the cases are.

The other totals are 24 cases in Fraser Health, 11 in Vancouver Coastal, five in Island Health and one in Northern Health.

Those who have tested positive for Omicron are between the ages of five and 72, and none have been hospitalized.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is updating the latest COVID-19 forecasts and models at a news conference this afternoon.

(Image credit: Province of B.C.)

The ministry said 20 of the cases have recent travel histories, such as travel to Nigeria, South Africa/Zimbabwe, Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Germany, Portugal, and the USA.

(Image credit: Province of B.C.)