B.C. is reporting 3,289 new COVID-19 cases over the past three days, which includes 299 cases in Interior Health.

There were also 18 deaths from the virus across B.C., including two in the Interior.

The rest of the new cases were largely centered in the Lower Mainland again – with 740 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health in the past three days, 1,957 in Fraser Health, along with 167 in Island Health and 125 in Northern Health.

Hospitalizations went up to 368 (up by 36 since Friday), while intensive care patients went up to 121 (up by 19) and active cases rose to 9,937 (up by 363).

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry did not have an update on variant cases, saying there was a “data issue,” but noted about 50 per cent of new cases are now more-contagious variants, mostly the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant.

“This is, I don’t need to say, our third wave,” Henry said, noting it is “not optional” for people to self-isolate if they are directed to by public health.

On a more positive note, there were more than 1.1 million vaccine doses that have been administered across the province.

Further, a new order announced last week which allows WorkSafeBC to shut down businesses for a minimum of 10 days if there are three or more cases reported with transmission in the workplace comes into effect as of tonight.