Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 19 new test-positive cases of COVID-19 throughout the province and 1 epidemiologically-linked case.

Northern Health has not reported any new cases in over two weeks.

The provincial total is now 2,869, including 179 active cases.

15 individuals remain in hospital, 7 of whom are in critical care.

There have been 2 more deaths, and 173 British Columbians have now passed away since the start of the pandemic.

2,517 test-positive cases have fully recovered – nearly 88%.

One of today’s test-positive cases occurred in a teacher at a public school in Fraser health.

The teacher contracted the virus through one of their social contacts, and public health officials say the case did not lead to any exposure events at the school.

Dr. Henry also acknowledged the shift to phase 3 of the BC Restart Plan, explaining more businesses may be able to reopen.

Minister of Health Adrian Dix said today (Thursday) was a record-breaking day for new COVID-19 infections in the United States, emphasizing the importance of COVID-19 precautions.

Dr. Henry said she would “absolutely not compromise the health of British Columbians” to accommodate the NHL, even if it meant having Vancouver declared a hub city.

The breakdown by health authority:

  • 970 in Vancouver Coastal Health
  • 1504 in the Fraser Health region
  • 131 in Island Health region
  • 199 in Interior Health
  • 65 in Northern Health