B.C. health officials are reporting 115 new COVID-19 cases today, five of which were epi-linked, for a total of 9,956 cases in the province.

Just one of those new cases were in the Interior Health Authority which has now had 557 cases of the virus, 25 of which are active, with one person in hospital.

There are still 71 people in hospital, with 15 people still in ICU, one fewer than yesterday. As well, there were no new death today, with the death toll remaining at 244 people.

“As we come up to Thanksgiving this weekend, it’s important to remember while many things have changed and we have faced many challenges, we still have much to be thankful for,” said a statement from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.

“Let’s show our gratitude by doing a small kindness for a friend, neighbour or family member. Reaching out virtually or by phone, helping with a small task or a sending a care package tells people in your life and community that you care. We’re all in this together, and we have come this far by supporting each other while staying apart.”

There are now 1,387 active cases of COVID-19 in the province – up by 3 from yesterday, with 3,042 people now being actively monitored by public health teams as a result of exposure to a known cases.

As it stands, there are 8,296 people who tested positive for COVID-19 – about 83 per cent of the total – that are considered to have recovered.