B.C. health officials are reporting 648 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths, and they’re urging people to stay local as we head into spring break.

There were 39 cases in Interior Health, with the health authority declaring another outbreak at a Kamloops long term care home over.

Across the province, there were 372 cases in Fraser Health today, 149 in Vancouver Coastal Health, 56 in Northern Heath, and 32 on Vancouver Island

Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry says there were another 79 new confirmed COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern taking the total to 717 cases, 99 of which are active. It includes 667 cases of the B.1.1.7 (U.K.) variant, 36 cases of the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant, and 14 cases of the P.1 (Brazil) variant.

Active cases are up to 5,070 – an increase of 158 from yesterday’s update. There are now 255 people in hospital, 67 in ICU, with 15 people in hospital in the Interior, five in ICU. A further 9,155 people are being actively monitored by public health teams across B.C. after coming in contact with a COVID positive person.

“From the very start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our objective has been to find and maintain our balance – to protect everyone in our province and keep what we can open,” Henry said, referencing the order that allows outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.

“It does not apply to any indoor locations. The orders for restaurants and bars continue, as does the need to follow all COVID-19 safety plans – at work or school, when we are out for dinner or going to the grocery store.”

“If you or a family member is higher risk, you may choose to delay your visit or ensure you are wearing your masks and maintaining a safe distance,” added Henry. “It also means continuing to clean your hands and staying away if you are feeling unwell.”

There have now been 380,743 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine administered in B.C., 87,024 of which are second doses.

“The three vaccines we have available and in use throughout B.C. are a safe and effective way to protect people around the province,” Henry said. “As part of our immunization surveillance activities, we follow strict protocols to identify and address any safety signals that may come up.”

There are now 80,325 people who are considered to have recovered from COVID-19, about 92 per cent of the total 86,867 cases in British Columbia.