B.C. health officials are reporting another record 589 cases of COVID-19, just one day after reporting a record 425 cases yesterday.

Twenty four of those cases were in the Interior Health Authority, where an outbreak was declared at the Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower construction site.

Active cases are up again to a new record 3,741 (115 in the Interior), with 7,887 people in self-isolation because of an exposure to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, also a new record – up 368 from yesterday.

Fraser Health reported 402 of today’s cases with another 146 in Vancouver Coastal Health, five on Vancouver Island, and 12 in Northern Health. There were also six healthcare outbreaks reported, all in the Lower Mainland.

“Right now, particularly in the Lower Mainland, we are asking businesses to review their COVID-19 safety plans to ensure every step is being taken to protect everyone,” said a statement from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.

“For employees and customers, you can also do your part and help businesses to stay open by staying away if you are feeling unwell, using a mask when indoors and not asking businesses or their employees to bend the rules. We have one COVID-19 curve in B.C., and we all have a role to play to get through this storm and push our curve back down.”

Hospitalizations are up to 104 (one in IHA), with 28 people in ICU at this time. Health officials also reported two more COVID-19 related deaths taking the death toll to 275 people.

Henry says keeping businesses open is important to health authorities, noting the vast majority are doing what they can to keep employees and customers safe.

“This has allowed us to have as much as possible open in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “As we have done with many sectors, public health teams are continually reviewing guidance and working with individual business owners to help navigate the challenges of COVID-19 and continue to operate safely.”

“Only if it is clearly demonstrated that a business or sector is unable to operate safely are businesses ordered to close.”

A total of 13,035 people who tested positive for COVID-19 are now considered to have recovered.

Further, the BC CDC has implemented a texting service for new cases of COVID-19. People can now sign up to be notified of positive or negative test results.

As well, there will be rare Saturday COVID-19 update from Dr. Henry and Health Minster Adrian Dix at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 7.