Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in British Columbia over the past 24 hours, which include three residents of the Interior Health region.

The new cases bring the total positive tests in the province to 3,128 – 212 of which have been residents of the Interior Health area. There are now 209 active cases province-wide, 11 of which are in the Interior Health region.

Since Friday, 10 residents of Interior Health have been diagnosed with the virus. These diagnoses come after a COVID-19 exposure event in downtown Kelowna was announced by Interior Health Friday. Tuesday morning, the health authority said a total of 13 people have so far been diagnosed with the virus, relating to the exposure event, which spans from June 25 to July 9. 

Additionally, an outbreak at Oliver's Krazy Cherry Fruit Co. was announced Monday following two positive cases of staff there. During Tuesday's press conference, Dr. Bonnie Henry reassured British Columbians that there has been no evidence the virus can spread through food or food packaging.

With the increase in province-wide active cases, 15 people are currently hospitalized, five of whom are in ICU. None of the hospitalizations are in the IH region. 

Dr. Henry said the increase in cases has not been unexpected, due to the reopening of the province through Phase 3. 

No new virus-related deaths have occurred in the past 24 hours and 189 British Columbians have died from the virus. To date, 2,730 people have recovered from the virus.

Healthcare outbreaks remain at two long-term seniors care homes and one acute care facility.