Dr. Bonnie Henry, April 21

Image Credit: FACEBOOK/BC Government

B.C.’s COVID-19 cases surged by 41 in the last day, though the number of cases within the Interior Health region has declined.

There are now 3,562 cases in B.C., with 259 considered active.

Yesterday Minister of Health Adrian Dix, and Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 358 COVID-19 cases have been in the Interior Health region but today that number has dropped to 356. There's no mention of why it changed but the statement indicates there was a data adjustment.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,071 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 1,846 in the Fraser Health region, 143 in the Island Health region, 86 in the Northern Health region and 60 cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

There were no new COVID-19 related deaths. There's been a total of 194 pandemic-related deaths in B.C. since the start of the pandemic.

"There are no new community outbreaks. Currently, there are 20 cases on Haida Gwaii and 31 cases connected to Fraser Valley Packers Inc. Public health teams continue to support these active outbreaks,” reads the statement.

“Of note, there are no health concerns related to the consumption of fruit from Fraser Valley Packers Inc."

The statement also makes reference to an alert issued for Liquid Zoo in Kelowna.

“Anyone who may have been at the night club from July 15 to 18 is asked to monitor themselves closely, limit their contact with others and contact 811 to get tested, if symptoms develop,” according to the statement.

As always, Dix and Dr. Henry recommend using the layers of protection available and to keep your groups small when socializing.

"Staying a safe distance from others is the best way to slow the spread of the virus,” reads the statement. “If you are in a crowded area, outside or inside, and you can't maintain a safe physical distance, wearing a mask is a further protective layer.

Remember to wash your hands regularly, clean surfaces more often, follow one-way pathways, and always, without exception, stay home if you are at all feeling ill."

The outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital's neo-natal intensive care unit was also declared over. 

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