10 COVID19 deaths for Thursday

British Columbia's provincial health officer says the province isn't at a point where restrictions can be lifted due to concerns about the potential for rapid spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says she understands the desire from B.C. residents to see restrictions lifted, such as the limit on social gatherings, but it can't happen yet.

There are 395 more cases of COVID-19 and 10 new deaths.

Dr. Henry says B.C. has seen its rolling seven-day average of cases rise, and there's potential to see rapid growth in the number of cases if residents "are not careful."

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, provide an update on COVID-19 in BC. #covidbc https://t.co/anbOKhrbxU

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) February 25, 2021

On that front, B.C. is ramping its screening for variants of concern, with the aim to test 100 per cent of COVID-positive samples to see if they are likely variants that should be sent on for further testing.

As B.C. works to identify the more than 120 cases of COVID-19 variants across the province, Henry said health authorities are ramping up the screening for them. Its aim is to test 100 per cent of all positive samples to see if they are likely variants that should be sent on for further testing. Ontario and Quebec already screen all positive cases for variants.

Henry expressed confidence in limiting the spread of the variant cases, even though one-quarter of the variant cases diagnosed in B.C. have not yet been traced back to their origin.

"The things we do to prevent transmission works against these variants as well, which is why we all have to continue doing what we're doing," she said.

Henry also spoke of the challenges she's faced during the pandemic, including new death threats and the impact they have had on her family and co-workers.

"It's one of the things that have been incredibly challenging," she said.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the threats and personal attacks directed at Henry are "completely unacceptable."

"I condemn them utterly," he said. "We all have to find ways to disagree without personal attack."