Even though the B.C. government is having some success in bending the curve of COVID-19 infections, the number of people being admitted into intensive care with the virus continues climbing.

Today, the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, reported that a record number—178—are in intensive care. That's up from 171 yesterday.

In total, 503 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C., down from 515 yesterday.

There was one more death from the virus, lifting the provincewide total to 1,577.

The news came on a day that 853 new cases were reported, bringing the provincewide total up to 128,742 across the province.

Of those, 7,996 cases are active and 11,628 people are under public-health monitoring after being exposed to known cases.

The largest number of new cases, 574, occurred in the Fraser Health, which stretches from Burnaby to the eastern Fraser Valley and includes Surrey and Langley.

Another 181 cases were in Vancouver Coastal Health, compared to 43 in Interior Health, 30 in Island Health, and 25 in Northern Health.

Lions Gate Hospital in the spotlight

Meanwhile, Vancouver Coastal Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver.

It occurred in the 4 West (sub-acute medicine unit) and 4 East (acute medicine units). According to the health authority, 16 patients and one staff member have tested positive.

These units are closed and all nonessential visits to the fourth floor have been put on hold. Strict infection-control measures are in place.

"Lions Gate Hospital remains open and is prepared to safely receive and care for all individuals who require urgent and emergent care," the health authority stated. "Please do not delay in seeking care as this could worsen your condition."