B.C. records 299 new cases of COVID-19, three more deaths

Health officials are reminding everyone to keep social circles small, particularly in the Fraser Health region, which remains the epicentre of rising case counts in British Columbia.

The province says in a release much of the recent transmission is connected to social gatherings and Fraser Health officials are asking residents to avoid hosting anyone from outside their household.

B.C. reports 299 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths on Tuesday, bringing the death toll from the illness to 272.

The province says 3,017 cases are currently active, including 92 people who are in hospital, while 12,430 people who tested positive have recovered.

The number of health-care sites with infections has ticked up to 29, with 27 outbreaks in assisted-living or long-term care homes and two in acute-care facilities.

Fraser Health has recorded 9,234 of the 15,800 cases in B.C. since the start of the pandemic and it's set to open a new testing centre in Surrey by next Thursday.