B.C. records 1,262 new COVID-19 cases, mostly in Fraser Health region

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – B.C. has recorded a near-record high number of COVID-19 cases in the past day, with 1,262 new infections. Two more people have died.

Most of the new cases were in the Fraser Health region, with 638 cases recorded there. Vancouver Coastal Health recorded 332 cases.

Friday’s case count was just 31 shy of Thursday’s, which was the most infections in a single day since the pandemic began.

There are currently 332 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 102 who are in the ICU.

Related articles:

• Canucks players ‘mostly on the other side’ of COVID-19 outbreak

• Many Canadians back at work say they feel safe, despite COVID-19

• Number of COVID-19 patients being treated in ICUs up 23 per cent over last week: Tam

A joint statement from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says there are currently 105 active cases that are confirmed variants of concern, the most common of which is the B.1.1.7 strain.

On the vaccine front, the province has crossed the million-dose mark, with 1,025,019 administered so far. More than 87,000 of those were second doses.

The joint statement reiterated the need to avoid indoor gatherings outside of your household and not travel unless absolutely necessary.

“Get tested if you have even mild symptoms and use all of your layers of protection. This is how we will slow the spread and get ahead of the virus strains that are in our communities right now. Bending the rules only delays our ability to put the pandemic behind us, so let’s ensure we are not looking for exceptions to the orders we have in place, but rather looking to how we can help each other to stay small, stay local and stay strong in the face of COVID-19.”