B.C. health officials have reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 and three new deaths.

That brings the case count to 1,517 reported cases and now 72 deaths across B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the three latest deaths are all at care homes in the Lower Mainland.

The number of Interior Health cases is five more than yesterday, now at 141. There are 11 people in hospital across the IH region with COVID-19.

Henry says 134 people are in hospitals across B.C. with the virus including 58 people in critical care. The total number of hospitalizations is three fewer than yesterday, and the number of people in intensive care is the same.

There are also now 942 people fully recovered in B.C. from the virus, which is 62 per cent of the reported cases.

Meanwhile there are now 41 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Mission Institution in the Fraser Valley, where an outbreak was reported nearly two weeks ago. That number is up from 35 yesterday.

As well three more people have tested positive for the virus at a nursery in West Kelowna. That number is now at 23 confirmed cases. At the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver, there is still the one confirmed case.

Henry points out this is not the only public health emergency in B.C. right now. She says it was four years ago today the health officials in this province declared a public health emergency because of the overdose crisis, which continues today. That declaration was made by then- Health Minister and Kamloops-North Thompson MLA, Terry Lake.

“I am acutely aware, and continue to be acutely aware, of the suffering and loss that is being felt by people who use drugs. By their families, and by their communities,” she said.

“Many have lost loved ones, and in particular the challenge is around the concern about accessing help and getting the help that they need. I want you to know that you are not alone.”