Island Health chief medical health officer Dr. Richard Stanwick released detailed, local data on COVID-19 cases through late December and early January. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CASES UPTICK

Nanaimo, South Cowichan pacing COVID-19 infection rate across Island Health

Jan 27, 2021 | 11:38 AM

NANAIMO — The greater Nanaimo region accounted for a significant number of COVID-19 cases within Island Health over the last month.

Island Health released localized COVID-19 data showing the greater Nanaimo region accounted for nearly 32 per cent of all new cases between late December and Jan. 23.

Dr. Richard Stanwick, chief medical health officer with Island Health, said during a Wednesday news conference areas where housing challenges exist often line up with COVID-19 hotspots.

“Populations where people are underhoused or marginally housed or certainly in highly dense numbers of people in a single dwelling is associated with greater risk. There is definitely a socioeconomic gradient with this virus and the opportunity for spread.”

As of Jan. 26, 195 cases are active in Island Health region with over 80 per cent in the central region encompassing hotspots in the Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo.

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Island Health provided data for COVID-19 cases throughout the central Island region on Wednesday. (submitted/Island Health)

To help battle increased community spread, Island Health administered 24,065 doses of vaccine as of Jan. 26 and completed immunizing all residents who wanted a vaccine in public and private long-term care homes and assisted living facilities.

“This virus is very resilient. We’ve also seen it emerging in Nanaimo and in the last day or so we’re seeing an uptick in cases in south Island. It’s one of these situations where people can’t just focus on it being a Duncan problem or Nanaimo problem, this virus has the potential to pop up anywhere.”

With the likelihood of vaccine delays and reduced shipments, Stanwick reiterated the need to adhere to basic principles identified as the best way to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

He said cases of the U.K. variant first discovered in Nanaimo were an example of the system working.

“Because somebody observed their quarantine as expected by the federal government and the two people who were in close contact and eventually became cases all followed the strict protocols, it didn’t go any further.”

Daily case counts for British Columbia and Island Health will be updated in a Wednesday afternoon statement from the province, however Stanwick said Island Health will cross 1,500 total cases on Wednesday indicating an increase of at least 23.

He expressed concern about the rapid virus spread with one third of total cases coming in the last six weeks.

More than 700 people within Island Health are self-isolating after being potentially exposed to a confirmed case.

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