It was a grimmer day in British Columbia for those on the frontlines battling the novel coronavirus, as well as its victims.

Today, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix reported 625 new cases of COVID-19.

That was up 46 percent from the 428 cases reported yesterday.

Today's total also marks the highest one-day number since the start of 2021.

There were eight additional deaths, which matched yesterday's number.

That brings the number of COVID-19 fatalities in B.C. to 962.

“While the number of new cases and those with serious illness is higher than any of us want, there is light ahead, and with each day that we do our part and more people get immunized, that light gets brighter," Henry and Dix said in a joint statement.

There are 6,343 active cases in B.C., with 381 people in hospital from the disease. That means the number of hospitalized patients has increased by 30 in two days.

There are 78 patients in intensive or critical-care units, up from 77 yesterday and 76 the previous day.

“Currently, 8,719 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases, and a further 46,728 people who tested positive have recovered," Henry and Dix said.

Here is the distribution of new cases:

• Fraser Health: 305
• Vancouver Coastal Health: 178
• Interior Health: 71
• Northern Health: 43
• Vancouver Island Health: 28

So far, 33,665 people have been given the COVID-19 vaccine, an increase of 5,456 from the previous day.

“We have had two new health-care facility outbreaks at Chilliwack General Hospital and Sunnybank Retirement Home," Henry and Dix said. "The outbreaks at Crofton Manor and CareLife Fleetwood are now over."