British Columbia once again reported a single-day record for new COVID-19 cases Thursday, as students across the province returned to school under new safety protocols.
The province’s death toll remained unchanged at 213, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said at a live media briefing.
The number of active cases edged upward to 1,412, after dipping for the first time in two weeks the day before.
With classes in session, Henry said the next several weeks will be critical in controlling the spread of the virus, and that people need to renew their commitment to handwashing and staying home if they feel ill.
“It’s going to be a learning experience. Today was day one for many children, and we will all be learning over the next few weeks, and will be doing this together,” she said.
“Working together to control a common foe — like we have with this COVID-19 — builds our resiliency and is what will get us through.”
Health Minister Adrian Dix pounded home the same message, calling for the public to “stick to six” people when interacting.
“Remember to choose from the same group of people,” he added.
“Each one of us probably has a list of things that they used to be able to do that they’d like to be able to do again, and hopefully in those moments, we remember what Dr. Henry has said, which is that it’s not forever, even if it feels like it.”
Another 3,109 people were still in isolation because of potential exposure, Henry said.
The number of patients in hospital climbed by five to 42, with 14 of them in intensive or critical care.
Meanwhile, nearly 76 per cent of B.C.’s 6,830 cases of have fully recovered.
Earlier Thursday morning, Finance Minister Carole James projected a $12.8-billion deficit for the 2020-21 fiscal year because of lower revenue and increased spending amid the pandemic.