It’s been exactly seven months since the first COVID-19 case was reported in B.C., and today, the highest daily case count with 124, one of which was epi-linked, for a total of 5,496 cases.

It beats the previous daily record of 109 cases which was reported this past Monday, as part of 269 cases over the past weekend.

Four of the new cases were in the Interior Health Authority, which as now seen 433 cases of the virus. The vast majority (114) of today’s cases were in the Lower Mainland. Active cases are up to a record 974 – 68 more than yesterday – with 23 people in hospital of which seven are in intensive care.

Seventeen of the active cases are in the Interior and there is no one in hospital with COVID-19 in the health authority.

There were no new deaths with the death toll remaining at 204 people. There were also no new healthcare of community outbreaks reported.

“COVID-19 requires new ways of living our lives with new precautions and routines for ourselves and our families, whether at home, work, school or when spending time with others,” said a statement from the Health Ministry.

“This includes keeping our numbers of contacts low, especially at indoor parties and events, whether in a hall or in our own home. We have seen transmission from even small events, and the last thing we want to do is pass COVID-19 to those we are closest to.

Over the weekend, health officials are again asking people to be vigilant and think about how the fall will look like with the return to school two weeks away.

“The efforts we make today make the difference for all of us tomorrow, so let’s renew our commitment to doing what we can to keep our province and ourselves safe,” added the statement.

There are now 2,796 people in isolation as a result of an identified exposure to known cases of COVID-19. A further 4,310 people – about 79 per cent of the total case load – are now considered to have fully recovered.