Island Health has reported one of its worst days in the pandemic to date, however vaccinations continue across B.C. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CASE JUMP

Island Health COVID-19 cases spike, 28 new reported in last day

Jan 6, 2021 | 3:38 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health has reported one of its biggest daily increases of new COVID-19 cases throughout the entire pandemic.

Twenty eight new cases were discovered between noon on Tuesday, Jan. 5 and Wednesday, Jan. 6. The health authority had previously confirmed 20 or more cases in a single reporting period a handful of times in late November.

Island Health now reports 1,029 total COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic with 142 currently active. Of the active cases, 55 are in the central Island region, 58 to the south and 29 to the north.

The cases are part of 625 new positive tests across the province, taking B.C.’s total to 55,524 including 6,343 active cases.

Hospitalizations increased slightly Wednesday, up 14 to 381. Of those patients, 78 are receiving intensive case.

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Late on Wednesday, Island Health reported two additional cases at the Chartwell Malaspina care long-term care home in Nanaimo.

The additional cases we discovered during a second round of testing of residents and staff. One resident and one staff member are affected.

Island Health noted both cases were directly linked to the source of the initial outbreak.

Health officials have conducted 360 tests of residents and staff at the site with seven residents and one staff member testing positive.

Eight people also lost their lives over the last 24 hours, with now 962 dying as a result of COVID-19 complications across B.C.

The province’s vaccination rollout plan continues with 33,665 people already receiving the first of two doses of either the approved Pfizer or Moderna shots.

“While the number of new cases and those with serious illness is higher than any of us want, there is light ahead, and with each day that we do our part and more people get immunized, that light gets brighter,” a joint statement from the province read.

Snuneymuxw First Nation opened an invite-only clinic on Wednesday in a bid to curb increasing case counts in their community. The clinic will continue Thursday for any SFN member.

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