COVID death toll likely to top 500 by Monday

Provincial health officials announced 711 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and 11 additional deaths.

The updated numbers from Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, and Health Minister Adrian Dix bring total cases to 36,132, and total deaths to 492 — all but guaranteeing B.C.'S death toll will reach 500 over the weekend.

Health officials have reported deaths in double digits consistently since mid-november, and deaths have risen rapidly over the past two months. The daily provincial death toll has more than doubled since the end of October.

On Friday, Henry warned that the province was still experiencing a “significant surge in community transmission,” urging residents to follow the COVID-19 restrictions enacted to suppress the second wave.

“The virus is not letting up and neither can we,” she said. “This weekend, let's stay small and stay local, so we can slow the spread of the virus in our province.”

There are now 9,050 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, with 338 individuals currently hospitalized, including 76 in intensive care. The rest are self-isolating at home.

An additional 10,957 people are under public health monitoring due to close contact with a known COVID-19 case.

Health officials reported two new health care outbreaks, at Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge and at Richmond Hospital.

An outbreak at Youville Residence in Vancouver has been declared over.