B.C. COVID-19 restrictions extended to Feb. 5

British Columbia's top doctor says COVID-19 restrictions that were set to expire Friday have been extended to Feb. 5.

Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the extension while reporting eight more deaths and 761 new cases of COVID-19, saying the spike is partly related to changes in how the province is reporting cases each day.

Current public health orders and restrictions are extended until Feb 5. We continue to see high transmission rates through social gatherings. Socialize only with people who live in your household, and avoid any non-essential travel. See details: https://t.co/kB9OsWhafY #CovidBC pic.twitter.com/A0CUEk1oXa

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) January 8, 2021

She says the curve of the outbreak is trending up again, so it's not the time to ease restrictions and if further action is required to limit the spread, it will be taken.

The public health rules prohibit social gatherings among people from different households, as well as adult team sports and other activities.

Henry says the orders allow essential workplaces, schools and the health-care system to remain open.

The order will cover the next two COVID-19 incubation periods, and Henry says it's important to ensure everything possible is being done to protect the public, especially now that a vaccine is available.

"We are in this period of greatest risk and greatest potential benefit and we need to have the room to provide vaccine."