BC sets new single-day record with 203 COVID-19 cases

BC has once again set a new single-day record for recorded COVID-19 cases.

On Wednesday, health officials announced 203 new cases, breaking the record of 165 set in September.

Those new cases are the result of 10,485 administered tests, for a test positive rate of 1.9%.

It's the sixth consecutive day that the province reported more than 150 new cases of the disease.

There are now 1,766 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 4,294 people under public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases.

Currently, 70 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, 21 of whom are in intensive care.

Health officials are reporting two additional COVID-19 related deaths, bringing BC's death toll to 256.

There has been one new outbreak at École de l’Anse-au-sable school in Kelowna with three members of the school community confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Public health teams have directed a further approximately 160 members of the school community to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.

According to Dr. Bonnie Henry, weddings and funerals have also directly contributed to recent community clusters of COVID-19.

“With COVID-19 still in our communities, we have seen that even small gatherings are risky right now. Inside or outside, large space or small, the fewer the faces the better," said Henry in a statement.

“A wedding is meant to be a time of celebration, yet weddings and other important life occasions are a significant source of community transmission; transmission that has spread to health-care facilities, workplaces and schools."