B.C. health officials are reporting 625 new cases of COVID-19 in the province along with eight more deaths, taking the death toll to 962 people.

There were 71 more cases and one addition death (at Heritage Square in Vernon) in Interior Health, taking the active case count in the health authority to 785 cases with 33 people in hospital, nine in ICU.

“Sadly today we report another COVID-related death in long-term care. I want to take the time to offer my condolences to the loved ones and caregivers,” said IHA President and CEO Susan Brown.

“We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases throughout Interior Health, so please, stay home if you are feeling unwell, get tested, and use your layers of protection.”

Active cases in the province are at 6,343 with 381 people in hospital, 78 of whom are in intensive care. There are now 8,719 people being actively monitored by public health teams after an identified exposure to a known case.

Fraser Health today reported 305 new cases, Vancouver Coastal had 178, 43 in Northern Health, and 28 on Vancouver Island. The province says it completed 5,915 tests in the last 24 hours.

“This time of year can be a difficult time for many people, and it is compounded by the challenges that come with COVID-19. During these times, taking care of our mental health and well-being is part of how we take care of ourselves and our community,” a statement from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry said.

“While the number of new cases and those with serious illness is higher than any of us want, there is light ahead, and with each day that we do our part and more people get immunized, that light gets brighter.”

There were two new health-care facility outbreaks at Chilliwack General Hospital and Sunnybank Retirement Home in Oliver – where four staff members tested positive.

As it stands, there have been 33,665 people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 across the province. And there are 46,728 people who are now considered to have recovered from the virus roughly 84 per cent of the total.