849 new COVID-19 cases in B.C.; 67 in Interior Health

Health authorities are urging B.C. residents to stay home as the number of COVID-19 cases reported each day remains at very high levels.

In the last 24 hours, 849 new cases were recorded in the province, including 67 in the Interior Health region, according to a joint statement issued today, March 30, by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

"We have seen the start of exponential growth of COVID-19 cases,” the statement says. “To stop this upward trend from continuing, we are taking the necessary steps to protect our communities and get back on the path we want and need to be on.

"We are asking people for your help – particularly over the next three weeks – to push our curve back down again. This means staying small, staying outside and staying with our same group of close contacts. This also means not travelling for leisure or vacation outside of our local communities or regions because the risk for all of us is too great right now.”

Of the new cases, 421 were in the Fraser Health region, 265 in Vancouver Coastal, 39 on Vancouver Island and 46 in the Northern Health region.

There are 7,062 active cases in B.C. with 11,164 people being monitored. There are 312 people in hospital, 78 of whom are in intensive care.

The good news is that no new deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.

Another 320 cases of variants of concern were recorded, bringing the provincial total to 2,553 cases, of which 313 are active.

Most of those, 2,134, are the B.1.1.7 (U.K.) variant, 49 are the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant while there are 370 cases of the P.1 (Brazil) variant.

Almost 750,000 vaccine doses have been administered. Those 73 years of age an older are eligible to book appointments, along with Indigenous people over the age of 18 and people who have received letters saying they are clinically extremely vulnerable.

Residents of the Interior Health region can book by calling 1-877-740-7747 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

"We understand that the upcoming important religious holidays are often a time when we would normally get together with others to celebrate,” the statement reads. “This year, we need to ensure we are celebrating safely, which means not travelling to other communities and postponing those family dinners until it is safe to be together indoors again.”

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