New COVID peaks in B.C. with 717 cases, 11 deaths

British Columbia's provincial health officer says COVID-19 cases are rising on Vancouver Island, in the Interior and in the North as people take the illness with them when they travel from the Lower Mainland.

The province reached another peak on Tuesday, reporting 717 new cases and 11 deaths, meaning 310 people have died after contracting COVID-19 since the pandemic started.

A joint statement from Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix urges people to work together to stay small and stay local to help slow the spread of the illness.

Almost 11,000 people are under active public health monitoring because they've been exposed to a confirmed case, while 16,469 people who tested positive have recovered.

Most of the new cases are still being diagnosed in the Fraser Health region at 484 on Tuesday and Vancouver Coastal at 177, although another 21 people have tested positive in the Northern Health region, along with 18 in the Interior and 16 people on the Island.

An outbreak has been declared at one more long-term care home, meaning outbreaks are ongoing at more than four dozen such health-care facilities.

The joint statement says the biggest impact people can make is through small actions every day.

"Just as we put on our jackets to keep us warm in the rain and snow, so too are our COVID-19 safety layers there to protect all of us. Washing your hands, keeping a safe distance and always wearing a mask in places where you are around people you don't know — these things make a difference," the statement says.