A locked gate and notices are seen posted at a COVID-19 testing centre that has been temporarily closed due to cold weather, in Richmond, B.C., on Sunday, December 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
December 29, 2021 - 5:41 AM
VICTORIA - British Columbia health officials are scheduled to release an update today on COVID-19 cases, vaccinations, hospitalizations and deaths in the province.
The health ministry reported 1,785 new cases of the virus in B.C. on Tuesday.
It said in a news release that the numbers are "preliminary" and Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will release an update at 3 p.m.
Experts warn case numbers are likely to be much higher than reported because testing centres are overwhelmed and some patients might have decided not to get tested over the holidays.
Henry said last week that B.C. had reached it's testing capacity as people worry about contracting the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
She urged only those with symptoms to get tested.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2021.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2021