Officials issue distancing reminder as B.C. announces 84 new COVID-19 cases

British Columbia's health minister and provincial health officer are urging people to follow physical distancing guidelines amid a rise in COVID-19 cases across the province.

Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a joint statement on Friday urging residents to stick together and keep a safe distance from people they may not know or who aren't in their social bubble.

They say the province has the ability to bend the pandemic curve back down, but only if everyone takes part in measures related to the fight against COVID-19.

Dix and Henry warn that transmission of the virus has forced nightclubs and bars to shut down, either voluntarily or because of orders from a health authority.

B.C. reported 84 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the province's total to 4,358.

There were no new deaths in the past 24 hours, leaving the total number of deaths at 196.