B.C. health officials are reporting 68 new cases of COVID-19 today, for a provincial total of 4,745 cases since the pandemic began.

It includes four new cases in the Interior Health Authority bringing the total here to 411 cases.

Active cases have gone up yet again to 798, while there are 10 people now in hospital, with four in intensive care. A further 2,452 people are in isolation as a result of identified exposure to known cases.

There were no new deaths to report, with the death toll remaining at 198 people. There were also no new healthcare or community outbreaks, however exposure events continue to happen.

“Testing for COVID-19 is an important part of our provincial pandemic response. We continue to step up the capacity, in each health region and in our labs, to match our public health activities,” said a statement from the Ministry of Health. “Testing allows us to trace and contain the spread.”

“We know as the number of new cases increases, demand for testing also goes up. That is why each health region has been working to add further assessment and testing capacity.”

There are new assessment and testing centres to go with extended hours of service in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions, where the majority of new cases have been in recent weeks.

As it stands today, B.C. is completing about 8,000 tests each day.

“Right now, anyone with symptoms can be tested, but it is important to remember the test is recommended only if you have symptoms,” added the statement. “If you do develop symptoms, no matter how mild, your first step is to distance yourself from others and contact 811 or your health-care provider to arrange for an assessment.”

“If public health has advised you to self-isolate because you have been exposed to COVID-19, please follow their advice. Even if you have no symptoms, a negative test does not mean you can shorten the period of self-isolation.”

The statement goes on to say that 3,749 people – about 79 per cent – who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.