Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 317 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, recorded over three reporting periods from the weekend. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

RISING CURVE

Smoke complicates COVID-19 pandemic as five new Island Health cases confirmed

Sep 14, 2020 | 3:33 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health saw a notable increase in new COVID-19 cases over the weekend.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported a total of 317 new cases from across B.C since Friday, with five in the Island Health region.

There are now 195 total cases in the health authority since the start of the pandemic. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, there are 12 active cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health region.

Nearly 1,600 people in British Columbia are considered active cases, with 58 people in hospital in the lower mainland and northern B.C.

Six additional fatalities linked to COVID-19 were recorded over the weekend, with 219 people having lost their lives to the coronavirus.

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Five of the six deaths were in the lower mainland, with the sixth becoming the first recorded casualty in the Northern Health region.

A further 3,047 people are currently under active monitoring by public health after confirmed contact with a positive case.

Dr. Henry spent a majority of her briefing time addressing the lingering wildfire smoke in southern British Columbia, including Vancouver Island.

She said the smoke further complicates our ability to detect symptoms and take appropriate actions.

“We know the mixture we inhale with wildfire smoke has a number of particulates in it that cause irritation to the nose, throat and the lungs and particularly affects people who are very young or are elderly,” Henry said. “We know they’re the same people who can be most adversely affected from COVID-19.”

Air quality warnings have been in place since the weekend, encouraging everyone to stay inside as much as possible, with extra caution to children and seniors.

Dr. Henry also commented on the first official day back at school, with many students returning to in-class instruction for the first time since March.

She added school air conditioning units and air filtration systems will provide an effective barrier until the smoke clears and classrooms can open their doors and windows again.

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