Dr. Bonnie Henry announces new expedited workplace order as B.C. sets new daily COVID-19 case record with 1,293 infections

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is putting a new expedited workplace order in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Henry says the order will allow WorkSafe B-C to issue temporary closure notices to workplaces where three or more workers are sick.

The orders lasting at least 10 days will only be issued when transmission has been proven to have occurred in the workplace.

Dr. Henry says the aim is to control and prevent outbreaks so she doesn't have to shut down all non-essential workplaces.

British Columbia is reporting 1,293 new COVID-19 cases, smashing previous daily records of infection.

The new cases are part of a surging third wave and bring the total cases recorded in the province to 108,278 since the pandemic began.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says two more people have died and the death toll is now 1,493.

There are 9,184 active cases, including 336 people in hospital, 101 of whom are in critical care.

The vaccine rollout has seen 995,001 doses delivered across British Columbia and people 65 and over are now eligible to get an appointment for their shot.

Dr. Henry says the province is shifting its screening strategy for variants of concern, but the methods for preventing transmission, such as handwashing and physical distancing, remain the same.