Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry announced 29 new cases of COVID-19, bringing our provincial total to 1,203 cases.

Sadly, Henry also had three new deaths to report, and added that she realizes that number represents people in our communities that were loved and will be missed dearly. 

Henry reiterated that BC is still at high risk, and implored people to continue following orders and guidelines that will help us flatten the curve. 

“We are in the thick of it and we must hold our line,” she said. “This is the time to be unwavering in our commitment.”

She also shared that another outbreak has been detected at a long term care centre in the Fraser Health region, making 23 outbreaks at such establishments so far.

As for the Okanagan Correctional Centre, she said that no additional positive cases have been detected, and they are monitoring the conditions of staff and inmates.

On a positive note, 49 more people have recovered from COVID-19 in BC. 149 people are currently in hospital, including 68 people in ICU. 

Henry said that there is no longer a huge backlog of people needing testing, and they’ve moved on to more rapid testing. 

Of note, Henry also announced that BC is part of 25 COVID-19 vaccine initiatives around the world. 

A COVID-19 strategic advisory committee has been created, which will facilitate research related to COVID-19 in B.C, such as tracking transmission and determining the baseline for susceptibility.