B.C. health officials report outbreak of COVID-19 at long-term care in Surrey

British Columbia health officials say COVID-19 is still spreading with new cases and clusters as the province begins to reopen in a four-step plan.

In a news release, they say it is important to get vaccinated while maintaining social distance and using masks to stay safe during this period of transition.

Officials say there has been a COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care facility, Brookside Lodge in Surrey, where one resident and a staff member have tested positive.

The province reported 317 new cases of the infection for a total of 143,581.

They also reported two more deaths, brining the number of fatalities to 1,692 since the pandemic began.

Officials say more than 63 per cent of those eligible have had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.