There were 82 new COVID-19 cases reported today in B.C.

That includes two cases in the Interior Health region.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the province did a record number of tests yesterday for the virus, “10,899 to be exact.” That means today’s test-positive rate was .008 per cent.

“And I think that’s just an incredible feat. As our laboratories have been ramping up across the province. And I know there’s been some challenges in some places, but this really speaks to the amazing work people are doing to make sure we can get people the testing they need as quickly as possible.”

There are now 1,261 active cases across B.C., which is 23 fewer than yesterday. There are 69 people in hospital with the virus, three fewer than Wednesday, and 19 people in intensive care, which is two fewer than yesterday.

There was also one new death today from the virus, in the Fraser Health region.

Meanwhile, now into the second month of the school year, Henry says she’s confident now that the communication approach is aligned across B.C., when it comes to exposures that have happened and continue to happen.

“We don’t always get it right, right off. And when we started sharing information about school exposures, our communications across the province were not fully aligned. And what was being said in one place was not always the same as what was said in other places. And we are working through those kinks and continuing to refine our approach.”

She says the most important thing health officials have focused on is contact tracing for every case that has popped up in a school, and she says that has been consistent since the school year started.