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Image Credit: Province of British Columbia

There have been another 538 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. since yesterday and one death.

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to be primarily located in the Lower Mainland with 178 new cases in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 309 in the Fraser Health region, 12 in the Island Health region, 28 in the Interior Health region and 11 in the Northern Health, according to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, during a press conference today, Nov. 19.

There are 6,929 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 217 individuals are currently hospitalized with the virus, 59 of whom are in intensive care, Henry said. The total number of cases in B.C. since the pandemic began has reached 24,960.

Currently, 9,929 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases, she said.

READ MORE: New sweeping health orders and restrictions for B.C. starting today

There have been six new healthcare outbreaks in the province and an outbreak at the Kitimat LNG Facility among workers was also announced today. Public Health is currently conducting an investigation, she said.

“Despite where we are today, I remain confident that we will get through this but we need to take more action now,” Henry said.

The province is seeing a significant rise in cases, and deaths, stretching hospitals and emergency rooms, she said.

The surge in cases is happening across the province and Henry said more needs to be done now in order to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed.

"We need to keep our essential services, workplaces that are safe to operate and schools open and operating safely," Dr. Henry said. “We need to relieve the stress on our healthcare system,"

A new order has been put in place preventing B.C. residents from visiting with people outside of their household for the next two weeks. If you live on your own you can visit with two people, she said.

No indoor or outdoor events are allowed to take place until further notice.

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