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A data correction from the province has seen the number of COVID-19 cases drop on Vancouver Island (BC Government Flickr)
DAILY BRIEFING

Island COVID-19 cases drop by two due to data correction

Jul 21, 2020 | 3:37 PM

NANAIMO — The number of COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island has gone down.

A data correction in the last 24 hours reduced the total number of cases in the Island Health region from 142 to 140.

In a joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and health minister Adrian Dix, 30 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in B.C. on Tuesday.

With the data correction, there are currently seven active cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health region.

The number of active cases across the province rose to 266 with 15 patients in hospital, three of whom are in intensive or critical care.

While no new outbreaks in health care centres or the community were detected, the province is warning against close contact with others during the summer months.

“Many of the new cases are a result of community transmission from an increase in social interactions this summer. This trend is a concern, but we can turn this trend around,” the statement said.

On Monday, July 20, the province announced 102 cases were confirmed over the weekend, which stands as one of the largest increases in recent weeks. A majority were linked to Canada Day parties in Kelowna.

“We can stop transmission by seeing fewer people, only spending time with people we know, keeping a safe distance from others and using a mask when that is difficult. Let’s continue to follow these rules for safe social interactions.”

A total of 3,328 people have tested positive for coronavirus in British Columbia.

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