HEALTH Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Friday announced 84 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), for a total of 4,358 cases in British Columbia. This includes two cases that are epidemiologically linked.

There were no new COVID-19-related deaths, and the total number of deaths stands at 196 in the province.

There are 629 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 3,533 people who tested positive have recovered.

Currently, 12 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. As well, 2,026 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,354 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 2,276 in the Fraser Health region, 150 in the Island Health region, 399 in the Interior Health region, 107 in the Northern Health region and 72 cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

There has been one new health-care facility outbreak in the Fraser Health region at Queen’s Park Care Centre. In total, seven long-term care or assisted-living facilities and two acute-care facilities have active outbreaks.

There are no new community outbreaks. However, there continue to be community exposure events around the province and on flights into and out of British Columbia.

Alerts are posted on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website, as well as on health authorities’ websites, providing details on where the potential exposure occurred and what actions to take – whether you need to immediately self-isolate, or monitor for symptoms.

Dix and Henry added: “This weekend, we urge everyone to stay strong and hold the line.

“We have it within our ability to make the changes we need to bend our pandemic curve back down and continue in our B.C. restart, but it takes the combined efforts of everyone, not just a few.

“Keeping a safe distance from people you don’t know or who are not in your close group of family and friends is an important way to protect yourself from COVID-19 transmission. And always stay home and stay away from others if you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild.

“Throughout the pandemic, regional health authorities have worked with municipalities, WorkSafe BC, and law enforcement to support and educate British Columbians about COVID-19 safety – in some cases establishing joint teams to visit shops, businesses, beaches and other public spaces to ensure we all follow public health guidance and direction.

“In the Vancouver Coastal Health region, ongoing surveillance and enforcement operations have resulted in the closure of several bars, restaurants and nightclubs following transmission events: some by public health order and others voluntarily.

“This weekend, let’s all do our part to bend the curve back down and use our influence to bring our family and friends on board if they have strayed.

“Remember that each new interaction outside your bubble holds a risk that you then bring back to your family and friends. In these circumstances, we must stand together, by staying apart.”