A party that took place in the Vancouver Coastal Health region resulted in more than 40 people testing positive for COVID-19, according to an update from health officials.

And it wasn't a small party, either; speaking to reporters on Thursday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry revealed that about 400 people could have been exposed to the virus, due to the overlapping social groups at the party.

"It was up to 45 or 46 people who were associated with a party," she said, speaking about the infected individuals.

She emphasized that large gatherings and parties continue to be a source of community transmission in British Columbia.

Have a good time this summer -- safely. Keep your group small, and only hang with people you know. Follow Dr. Bonnie Henry’s guide, and we can keep each other safe and healthy: https://t.co/Hx0is33fOD #COVIDBC #DoYourPartBC pic.twitter.com/MiyDPqqe2g

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) August 7, 2020

Henry's sentiment was echoed by Health Minister Adrian Dix, who had some stern words for B.C. residents about packed houseboats and rowdy private parties.

"I want to say something to those who organized private parties, to those who are attending them, and those who are thinking of other ways to hold large gatherings in the middle of a global pandemic: enough," Dix said.

Large groups, over an extended time period, are the biggest welcome mat there is for #COVID19.

It’s time to stop putting out that welcome mat.

Time to accept again COVID-19 is here.

Time to join with the rest of us and stop the spread in #BC.

— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) August 6, 2020

The news of the latest outbreak comes about a month after two private parties led to an outbreak in Kelowna, with upwards of 78 people testing positive for COVID-19.