B.C. health officials are reporting 98 cases of COVID-19 today for a total of 8,641 in the province.

There were two new cases in the Interior Health Authority taking the total up to 522 – with 34 active cases and one person in hospital.

Active cases were down to 1,349 but the number of people being monitored as a result of an exposure to a known case is up to a record high 3,533.

There are 62 people currently in hospital with COVID-19, of which 19 are in ICU. There was also one new death in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, taking the death toll in the province to 230 people.

“Our community wellness during COVID-19 is about keeping new cases low and manageable, as well maintaining our important connections with friends, family and neighbours in a way that doesn’t put ourselves or those around us at risk,” said a statement from the Health Ministry.

“With the arrival of the cooler weather, now is the time for all of us take a step back from connecting in person to staying connected in other, safer ways.”

There are now 7,036 people who tested positive for COVID-19 who are considered to have recovered – about 81 per cent of the total.