B.C.’s top doctor, Dr. Bonnie Henry, says there have been 40 new cases of COVID-19 and five new deaths in the province.

That’s a total of 1,410 cases and 55 deaths in the province since the update on Thursday. It is also an increase in two cases across Interior Health – now sitting at 132 cases.

“We are saddened to report five new COVID-19 related deaths, two in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and three in Fraser Health region,” said Henry, and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a statement.

“We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones.”

There are now 128 people in hospital, 65 of those are in intensive care – both those numbers are down from yesterday.

In all, 879 people have recovered from the virus and do not need isolation any longer.

Health officials are once again urging people to stay home and avoid non essential travel this long weekend.

“This is not the time to travel, unless absolutely necessary. Stay at home and be creative with how you connect and celebrate with family and friends,” the statement said.

All B.C. Parks and Nature Conservancy sites are closed, but people are still able to go for walks or bike rides within their neighbourhoods, while maintain physical distancing requirements.

“Let’s continue to stand strong – united with kindness and care,” added Dix.

The province is prepared for a surge in cases, if it were to happen. The 271-bed Vancouver Convention Health Centre and 80 new beds at Royal Columbian Hospital are set up as alternate care sites, if needed.