Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry expressed more optimism about the vaccine rollout throughout the rest of February. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

New COVID-19 cases remain high in Island Health as provincial numbers fall

Feb 8, 2021 | 4:04 PM

NANAIMO — Good news across B.C. in the fight against COVID-19 hasn’t yet turned into good news within Island Health.

The number of active cases in B.C. fell by roughly 500 on Monday, Feb. 8 as 1,236 new cases were confirmed since Friday. The number of people in hospital fell again by roughly 20 to 234, though the amount of people receiving intensive care remained relatively unchanged.

The 13 people in B.C. who lost their lives is the lowest number of fatalities over weekend since early November when the second wave of COVID-19 accelerated.

In comparison, the 86 new COVID-19 cases within Island Health was the highest ever during a weekend reporting period. This equals roughly 29 new cases a day since Friday, which is consistent with high numbers seen in recent weeks.

The number of active cases rose to 240, with 168 found in the vast central Vancouver Island area.

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Up to 40 cases of COVID-19 variants are confirmed in B.C., with 25 cases of the UK variant first identified in Island Health and 15 of the South African variants.

The number of UK variants in Island Health remains at 4, with none of the South African variant confirmed.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the variants could pose a significant threat to easing restrictions and not having a second pandemic ravage the province.

“We’re closely monitoring our progress. Our intent is to ease restrictions we have in place as soon as it’s safe to do so. We want to have confidence as we open more that we don’t have to step back again.”

She said other factors at play besides the spread of COVID-19 variants is fewer new cases and unchecked transmission.

The supply of vaccine in B.C. is expected to increase substantially through February. Dr. Henry said community vaccinations are still planned to begin in March, starting with those 80-years-old.

“In the coming days and weeks you will receive the information you need, to know where your clinic will be or how you’ll receive vaccine. We’re working on the details in every community across the province.”

More than 12,000 B.C. residents have received their second dose of vaccine.

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