VANCOUVER -- For the sixth day in a row, no one has died from COVID-19 in British Columbia.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 14 new test-positive cases of the virus on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections recorded in B.C. since the start of the pandemic to 2,694. The provincial death toll from the virus remains at 167.

Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix gave the update during a live briefing in Victoria.

There are currently 183 active cases of the virus in B.C. Thirteen patients are currently in hospital, and of those, five are in critical care. The number of people considered to be recovered from COVID-19 now sits at 2,344.

No new outbreaks in health-care facilities have been detected, but there continue to be five active outbreaks in long-term care homes. There have been 560 people in long-term care or assisted living facilities who've become infected with the virus, including 341 residents and 219 staff members.

While B.C. has seen some "positive results" dealing with the virus, Dix noted the global pandemic is far from over.

"This is a record week of new cases for COVID-19 in the world, just to put in context," he said. "In other words, COVID-19 is with us and we have to continue to work together over the coming months to address it."

Overdose deaths in B.C.

During the briefing, Henry also addressed the latest overdose numbers released from the B.C. Coroners Service, which found the province recorded 170 illicit drug deaths in May. This is the highest total ever recorded in a single month in the province's history.

"I cannot express how difficult this news has been to hear," she said, her voice breaking as she spoke. "My thoughts and condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones, and I share your grief."

Henry noted there had been a dramatic increase in the toxicity of the street drug supply and added many people are choosing to use drugs alone during the pandemic.

"This can be very isolating for some people and…makes it more able for them to hide their drug use from others, even if they might otherwise have reached out for help or been very careful about not using alone," she said. "We know that using alone right now is exceedingly deadly."

Henry emphasized the need to eliminate stigma so people feel comfortable reaching out to family and friends about their drug use.

"We must all show the compassion that we have shown in addressing the COVID crisis and the understanding for our families, our friends, and our work mates, all people who use drugs and help them know that they can return for help, they can talk about this, that we have supports. We can help you," she said.

Vancouver as NHL 'hub city'

Henry also addressed the possibility of Vancouver becoming a "hub city" for the NHL. Premier John Horgan announced Wednesday that he and the provincial health officer had agreed on a proposal that would see B.C. host hockey games, but stressed they would continue to prioritize the health of its residents.

"Like the premier and many others, I also think bringing hockey back to B.C. would be a good thing," Henry said. "But let me be very clear. There are no exceptions to the rules or the public health guidelines that are in effect here in B.C. And in no way will we compromise all the work that we have done and the health of British Columbians for the NHL or any other group."

Teams would not have any contact with the public, spectators or families, Henry said, and would be in what she described as "small pods" of less than 50 and would be subject to screening and testing the entire time.

"If Vancouver were picked as one of the hub cities, it would be a period of several weeks, and they would be in this team bubble for the entire period of time," she said. Henry added the resumption of games would be dependent on the province's progress and her assurance that these "extreme measures" would be followed to ensure the health of B.C. residents.

Henry also emphasized that the NHL's plan is "not for today" but for sometime in the late summer into early fall, though she added it exceeds the requirements that are in place now.

"It meets our criteria for protecting our community without compromise," she said.

Watch an American Sign Language translation of the news conference on the provincial government's YouTube page.