564 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Thursday by the province, largely in line with increases through the past week. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

BIG JUMP

Island Health nears new high-water mark for COVID-19 cases

Jan 21, 2021 | 3:35 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health again bore the brunt of increasing COVID-19 cases.

A joint statement from public health and the province confirmed 564 new cases throughout British Columbia on Thursday.

Island Health reported 43 new cases on Thursday which took the number active in the health authority to 201. Cases in the central Island spiked 25 to 157, while the southern and northern sections of the Island remained stable.

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.

The number of active cases across the province rose to 4,450. Active cases have risen by around 100 between Monday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 21. The week prior, active cases fell by around 600.

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A total of 309 people remain in hospitals across B.C., including 68 receiving intensive care.

Another 15 COVID-19 related deaths were also confirmed, bringing B.C.’s pandemic death toll to 1,119.

For the third straight day, none of the fatalities were linked to Island Health with the 15 individuals coming from Fraser Health, Interior Health and Vancouver Coastal Health authorities.

“Despite our COVID-19 curve trending in the right direction, we continue to have new outbreaks, community clusters and high numbers of new cases. COVID-19 continues to spread widely in our communities,” the statement read.

B.C.’s vaccination efforts continue as the province passed 100,000 doses administered on Thursday including 1,680 second doses to health care workers in the Lower Mainland.

More details about the vaccination rollout plan are expected Friday morning during a media conference with provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, health minister Adrian Dix and premier John Horgan.

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