July 31, 2020 - 4:21 PM
VICTORIA - Health officials in British Columbia are reporting 50 new COVID-19 cases and one death as the province heads into a summer holiday weekend.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement people should strive to socialize safely and in small groups this B.C. Day weekend.
Henry and Dix say the long weekend is an opportunity to find the balance between making social connections with friends and family while staying safe.
The Health Ministry says Friday's figure of 50 new COVID-19 cases is the highest number since April.
The ministry says most of the new cases are connected to an ongoing outbreak at a berry packing plant in the Fraser Valley.
Henry and Dix also reported one new death in the Vancouver area, bringing B.C.'s death total to 195 people.
The statement says there are now 3,641 COVID-19 cases in B.C. and 3,168 people have recovered.
There is also one new health-care facility outbreak at Dania Home in the Fraser Health region, the statement says.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2020.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2020