As COVID-19 cases surge across B.C., Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will provide an update on Friday.

The Omicron-driven fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to set records in B.C. on Thursday, with officials reporting 4,383 confirmed new cases and one death.

On Wednesday, health officials announced that schools would open on Jan. 3 and 4 for children of essential workers and those with special needs, but that the remainder of B.C. students would return on Jan. 10.

The delay will give the province time to better assess the impacts of the Omicron variant, she said, and develop enhanced safety measures for a return to the classroom.

School staff will be required to have staff meetings virtually, in-person assemblies will no longer be allowed and extra-curricular sports tournaments are on hold.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8482019/bc-covid-update-december-31-2021-omicron/

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