HEALTH Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Saturday announced 35 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 1,445 cases in British Columbia.

Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 642 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 558 are in the Fraser Health region, 84 are in the Island Health region, 135 are in the Interior Health region and 26 are in the Northern Health region.

There were three new COVID-19 related deaths, all in long-term care facilities, for a total of 58 deaths in British Columbia.

There have been no new long-term care outbreaks in the last day. Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health teams continue to provide support to the 20 remaining affected long-term care and assisted-living facilities, which have a combined 246 cases of COVID-19.

“Fraser Health teams continue to provide support for the outbreak in Mission Institute, a federal correctional centre, which has a total of 26 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Five people affiliated with the facility have been hospitalized.

Infection control and prevention measures are in place. Fraser Health continues to work with federal officials to limit the further transmission of this virus.

To date, 905 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and no longer require isolation.

Of the total COVID-19 cases, 134 individuals are hospitalized and 63 of those in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Dix and Henry said: “In the middle of a holiday weekend, we are encouraged that people are staying home and avoiding putting unnecessary strain on our smaller, rural and remote communities. This is how we can continue to support and protect our loved ones, our Elders and our health-care workers.

“We are paying special attention to international travellers returning to British Columbia. They are required to complete a self-isolation plan and self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. This process is now in place at B.C.’s land and air borders to protect us all.

“This is the time for all of us to stay strong in our commitment to flatten the curve – to do all that we can to support one another so we can all succeed in this goal.”