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Feb 19, 2021 1:38 AM -

B.C. records uptick in COVID-19 cases as officials issue reminder about precautions

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The provincial health officer of B.C. Dr. Bonnie Henry during a news conference. Victoria, B.C. (B.C. Government)

Health officials in British Columbia are reminding residents to follow public health orders and restrictions after a significant rise in cases from earlier this week.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say 617 new cases have been recorded, for a total of 75,327 infections.

B.C. had 348 cases between Sunday and Monday, and the average has been under 500 daily infections in the last month.

Dr. Henry and Dix say in a joint statement that much of the uptick in cases has been in the Lower Mainland and the northern region.

They also reported four more deaths, for a total of 1,321 fatalities in the province since the start of the pandemic.

Dr. Henry and Dix say protective measures such as maintaining a safe distance from others, regular hand washing and using a mask in all public spaces must be continued.

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