Biggest rise of COVID-19 cases in B.C. since April

British Columbia has recorded 85 COVID-19 cases, the third-highest number of new cases in a single day since the pandemic began.

A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says many of the new infections are of young people from the Lower Mainland.

The statement says the public needs to refocus on measures to flatten the curve and that watching the cases climb is concerning.

There has been one new death, bringing the death toll to 196, while 3,469 people have recovered.

The latest COVID-19 figures come as the province announced it is hiring 500 health-care workers to help contact tracing ahead of the fall flu season and the potential surge in cases.

Premier John Horgan says the new, temporary jobs will likely be filled by retired health-care professionals and recent graduates.