As the number of COVID-19 cases increase, the number of British Columbians calling 811 is also on the rise.

Heath Minister Adrian Dix says the increase in calls tend to happen when there is increased anxiety, noting there were 2,700 calls answered on Wednesday of this week.

“We increase resources in response to public demand. You know that on March 25, 5,070 calls were answered by our team at 811,” he said. “At the lowest point in the pandemic in terms of calls, that number was 1,700.”

Dix adds the increase in calls reflects the fact that public health teams are there to support British Columbians during an otherwise difficult time.

“In the month of July, 70,668 phone calls were answered. That’s twice as many as in an average July,” noted Dix.

“I wouldn’t say that the number of calls is anything like the height of the pandemic in March, but the team of nurses that work at 811 have done an exceptional job from the beginning of the pandemic.”

Among other things, if you are unsure whether to seek medical care or to get tested, you can call 811 or use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool. Nurses at 811 will also help people find the nearest location where they can get a COVID-19 test.

The number of active cases in the province has risen from 278 at the end of July to 780 as of yesterday, and the majority of new cases have been reported in younger people.