B.C.’s top doctor says COVID surge could bring more restrictions

British Columbia’s provincial health officer says social gatherings like weddings are fuelling a surge in COVID-19 cases in the province.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said people are meeting in large numbers and with different groups over a number of days at some events and those returning to other parts of the province or the country are taking the virus with them.

“Weddings and other celebrations are proving to be high risk for all of us,” Henry said Thursday as she announced a one-day record of 274 cases, up from a high of 203 a day earlier.

“These events have caused clusters and outbreaks that have now spilled over into our health-care system,” she said, adding community spread of the virus over the last two weeks has included the province’s first outbreak at a school.

Henry said further measures aimed at preventing transmission may have to be imposed, including conditions on wedding licences.

“The reality is that everywhere in B.C., weddings, funerals and other life occasions need to be small, as small as possible. Every gathering needs to be our own household only and at maximum our safe six.”

The province has had a total of 12,331 cases, while 10,114 of those infections are considered recovered.

An uptick in cases last summer due to spread from vacation rentals and parties in the Okanagan was brought under control when people restricted social gatherings and the same can be accomplished again, Henry said.

She suggested people getting married opt for civil ceremonies with a small number of guests and save the large party for next year.

“As hosts of the celebrations, I ask you not to invite others to your gathering right now and not to take offence if people choose not to come because they are concerned about their own safety or about the risk that they may be bringing with them,” Henry said.