B.C. has set another new single day record for COVID-19 cases with 425 reported today by health officials.

That includes 18 new cases in the Interior (now to 104 active cases) with 268 new cases in Fraser Health and another 126 in Vancouver Coastal Health – with the Lower Mainland having long been the epicentre of transmission in the province.

Active cases are at another new record of 3,389 – an increase of 269 from yesterday – with another 7,519 people in self-isolation because of an exposure to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, also a new record, up 386 from yesterday.

“We did anticipate an increase as we moved indoors into the cooler weather. It is incredibly important we manage this increase effectively,” she said.

“I’m asking you once again to slow the spread of the virus through B.C.”

Currently, there are 97 people in hospital with COVID-19 – one in Interior Health – with 24 people in ICU.

There were no deaths reported, the death toll remains at 273 people. Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry says there were 11,020 tests done since yesterday for a positivity rate of 3.8 per cent.

There were no new community outbreaks to report. Further, the outbreak at École de l’Anse-au-sable in Kelowna is over and students will be back in class tomorrow.

“We want to thank school officials for their excellent co-operation in the management of this outbreak, which allowed Interior Health to declare it over after 14 days,” said Dr. Albert de Villiers, the Chief Medical Health Officer at Interior Health.

“We know this is a challenging time for parents and children alike, and we remind everyone to carefully consider any plans, parties or sleepovers for children as these activities could lead to other school exposures. Help us keep schools open and COVID-19 cases down among youth so children can continue with in-class learning.”

Don’t Throw. Don’t Go. Say No. Health Minister Dix says of parties

Health Minister Adrian Dix again stressed the importance of limiting indoor gatherings in people’s homes to the people who live there plus the ‘safe six’ bubble.

“The COVID-19 tide is rising,” he said. “When it comes to house parties and gatherings, the message is simple. Don’t throw them. Don’t go to them. When it comes to house parties we should all just say no to them.”

The public health orders regarding gatherings will remain in place, and B.C. officials will continue to watch the data and make changes as needed as the pandemic evolves.

Dix also says there have been 580 people who have been hired as contact tracers in the province, with a new goal now to hire 800 such positions.

As it stands, there are 12,806 people considered to have recovered from COVID-19, about 77 per cent of the total.