Dr. Réka Gustafson, deputy provincial health officer, announced 508 new cases of COVID-19 across B.C. on Friday, Feb. 19. (Government of BC)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

VAX RATES

Over 90 per cent of Island residents in long term care vaccinated

Feb 19, 2021 | 3:23 PM

NANAIMO — The province’s expansive vaccine rollout program continues to target B.C.’s most vulnerable population.

New data from public health on Friday, Feb. 19 showed 91 per cent of all Island Health long term care residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Nanaimo’s Chartwell Malaspina, which experienced an outbreak beginning in late December saw 119 of its 138 residents vaccinated.

Eden Gardens had 118 out of 130 residents receiving the first dose, as did 106 of 114 residents at Wexford Creek care home. Both facilities are current COVID-19 outbreak sites.

Rates in assisted living facilities in Island Health were 94 per cent uptake in the vaccine program. Data for staff vaccination rates is expected from public health in the coming week.

roster shakeup

Nanaimo Clippers lose two major players to Major Junior ranks

1h ago

armed robbery

Knife-wielding man robs south Nanaimo liquor store

9h ago

Shorthanded

Clippers fall short hosting Bulldogs

16h ago

Provincially, 192,942 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered as of Friday, including 36,923 second doses.

B.C. set a record on Thursday with 12,250 doses administered, the most for a single day in the pandemic so far.

“What we’ve done is a start, but it’s just a start,” health minister Adrian Dix said. “There are 4.3 million people to be immunized, 156,000 having their first dose, a further 37,000 receiving their first and second doses but it’s four per cent, it’s one out of every 25 people.”

Dr. Réka Gustafson, deputy provincial health officer, confirmed 508 new cases of COVID-19 across B.C.

Island Health reported 19 new cases in the health authority, including eight in the central Island region. Nine were in the north Island with the remaining two in southern Vancouver Island.

The number of active cases increased to 159, with 96 in the central Island region.

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.

Across B.C., 4,486 cases remain active with 217 people in hospital including 61 people in ICU. These numbers are relatively stable from Thursday, Feb. 18.

Dr. Gustafson said contact tracing and outbreak management remain key pillars in combatting community spread, in addition to increased protection from vaccine and adhering to public health orders.

“When a notification of an exposure in your school or workplace occurs you have a role to play, it means the system is working for you and working for all of us to protect us.”

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW