During her daily press briefing on Thursday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 33 new COVID-19 cases in BC.

Two more people have died from the virus in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions, both were residents of long-term seniors care home.

BC's death toll now sits at 126, with 2,288 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Broken down by health region, there are 865 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 1,064 in Fraser Health, 126 on Vancouver Island, 179 in Interior Health, and 54 in Northern Health.

Health minister Adrian Dix reported that there are currently 76 people in hospital with the virus in BC, with 1,512 people having fully recovered.

Breaking down hospitalizations by region, there are 28 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 41 in Fraser Health, two in Interior Health, two on Vancouver Island and three in Northern Health.

Earlier on Thursday, the province said it could take up to two years and at least $250 million in extra funding to address the extensive backlog of elective surgeries postponed in BC since the peak of the pandemic.

On Wednesday, officials released "BC's Restart Plan" announcing that businesses such as restaurants and salons could reopen in mid-May. 

Provincial parks are scheduled to reopen for day used and gatherings of two-to-six people will also be permitted in time for the long weekend.