B.C. reports 998 new COVID-19 cases, 737 cases in Fraser Health region

British Columbia's top doctor has clarified a public health order requiring people living in two health regions to cut back on their social interactions in order to slow the rising COVID-19 case count.

The details of Dr. Bonnie Henry's latest directive on Saturday are now posted online and explain that people in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions may only socialize with those in their ``core bubble.''

The provincial webpage notes a person's core bubble consists of others who live in the same home and may also include a partner, co-parent, relative or friend who lives in a different household.

Gatherings with anyone other than members of the same core bubble are not allowed either indoors or outdoors, though the webpage notes that going for a walk is not considered a social gathering.

B.C. has reported 998 new cases of COVID-19 detected over two days, pushing the number of active infections to 4,891, while five more people have died after contracting the illness for a death toll of 281.

Dr. Henry says public health officials are monitoring where people are contracting COVID-19 and the two-week order could be extended or modified depending on what they learn.