Slight rise in COVID-19 cases within Island Health continues, positive numbers seen across B.C.

Despite the increase in new cases, the number of active cases has still dropped from 59 at the beginning of June.

The 13 new cases were found in the southern and central Vancouver Island areas.

Modelling data presented on Thursday showed 1.8 per cent of COVID-19 tests within Island Health are positive. This is the lowest number by far in B.C.

There is a data discrepancy between Island Health and the province, based on the timing of COVID-19 results. NanaimoNewsNOW reports local verified data from Island Health.

Across B.C., 153 new cases were confirmed as trendlines in active cases and hospitalizations continue to decrease.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Thursday said rates dropped quickly as the vaccine program reached the largest age cohorts and fatalities were minimized.

“Deaths have remained low throughout the third wave, despite having the highest number of infections in the whole of our pandemic. That reflects our immunization program targetted at protecting those most at risk.”

Nearly 73 per cent of eligible B.C. residents over the age of 12 have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Henry said she’s confident about B.C.’s continued reopening.

“We’re likely to see new cases arise but they aren’t going to be widely transmitted in our community the ways we’ve seen before…with what we’re seeing and the protection we have in our communities, we can manage a slight increase in cases as we move forward in the next few weeks.”

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Slight rise in COVID-19 cases within Island Health continues, positive numbers seen across B.C.

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