B.C. health officials are reporting a new weekend record of 1,120 cases of COVID-19 this past weekend, taking the total case load to 15,501 since the pandemic began.

Active cases were up to a new record of 2,945, with another 6,448 people being monitored after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus – also a new record.

There were 36 new cases across the Interior Health Authority taking the total case count here to 777 cases while Fraser Health saw another 830 new cases, with another 234 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health.

Between Friday and Saturday, there were 352 new cases, a new daily record 389 cases from Saturday to Sunday, and another 279 cases from Sunday into Monday.

“These numbers are concerning to all of us, but we have learned a lot about COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic,”, said deputy provincial health officer Dr. Réka Gustafson.

“Testing to identify new cases, contact tracing to contain further transmission and using our layers of protection are the cornerstones of our response and the tools we will continue to use as we navigate this pandemic.”

She also says the goal of public health officials will continue to be minimizing severe illness and death while keeping communities as open as possible.

“We are going to see fluctuations and surges in some communities. And when we do, increased effort and stepped up focus will be applied, using all of the public health measures we have available to us,” Gustafson said.

“We have seen that the vast majority of people in B.C. are spending time with people outside of their household in safe and responsible ways. We thank the many businesses and organizations who are allowing that to take place with robust COVID-19 safety plans in place.”

There were also six new deaths reported today – five in Vancouver Coastal Health and one in Fraser Health – taking the provincial death toll from COVID-19 to 269 people.

“We are entering the 11th month of this pandemic. We need to continue to live well and live safely,” Gustafson added. “If you are a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID19, please respond to contact tracing. Public health is here to help, not to judge.”

She expects there to be fluctuations and surges in COVID-19 cases as the weather gets cooler.

“The recent increase cases in the Lower Mainland, and particularly in Fraser Health, are an example of this,” Gustafson said. “We know that being inside, and in close contact with others increases our risk, and that has been a significant cause of new cases in recent weeks. That’s why it’s important to keep our group small, at home and elsewhere.”

There are now 90 people in hospital with COVID-19, 19 of which are critical or intensive case.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says video on social media that showed hundreds of people crowding Granville Street for Halloween festivities over the weekend was irritating.

“It’s a very irritating event because I think it was a visible symbol of people not following the rules of gathering, which are limited to 50 people,” Dix said.

“This is not an easy time for anybody, we’re human beings, and as human beings our greatest strengths can sometimes be our greatest weakness, our desire to be together in a time of pandemic those connections that we count on and need to come together are the things that COVID-19 seeks.”

Dix said a bigger problem is house parties and private gatherings, which are not visible on social media but are fuelling the province’s rising case numbers.

“This is an unusual time,” he said. “Let’s celebrate virtually and with the people in our household. We need to turn the tide. I believe we can do that. I ask everyone listening to us today and all the people you may talk to today to recommit to stop the spread.”

There are now 12,207 people who tested positive for COVID-19 who are considered to have recovered.