Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 395 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, Feb. 25. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CASE UPDATE

Island Health remains steady as COVID-19 uptick continues in Lower Mainland

Feb 25, 2021 | 1:50 PM

NANAIMO — An increase in cases through the Lower Mainland is not being reflected in somewhat steady tallies from Island Health.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 395 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, a number well below the rolling seven-day average of 512.

Island Health confirmed 41 new cases including 24 in the central Island region. The additions take the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 2,271.

Active cases climbed by a dozen to 257, with 156 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.

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Across B.C., 4,489 cases remain active including 228 people in hospital with 62 of those patients receiving intensive care. The numbers are in line with recent reports.

A further 10 people lost their lives in the last 24 hours, none of which were in Island Health. To date, 1,348 people have died as a result of COVID-19.

With increased supply, Dr. Henry said B.C.’s vaccine rollout is making her enthusiastic for the near future, but asked for time as the province gets its ducks in a row.

“We have not been idle these past few weeks when we’ve had limited doses of vaccine. We are putting together the building blocks to ensure we can be as efficient has possible and minimize those inevitable bumps and hurdles.”

Mass vaccination clinics are due to begin in the spring. More information on the immunization plan is due Monday, Mar. 1 when the government will update its timelines.

The province has administered 239,833 doses of vaccine as of Feb. 25 including 68,157 second doses.

Public health also continues to monitor variants of concern (VOC) from the United Kingdom and South Africa. Tests confirmed 116 positive results for VOC’s in the province, however just four within Island Health.

“All of the evidence has shown us the things we do to prevent transmission, work against these variants as well. That is why we all have to continue to do what we’re doing.”

Dr. Henry said during her briefing on Thursday, the possibility of lifting restrictions as soon as March still exists. Her current public health orders were extended in early February with no expiration date.

She added several factors will come into play including the status of a current uptick in cases in the Lower Mainland.

“Our seven day rolling average, the scenarios where we’re seeing transmission happening and our ability to do the contact tracing to manage those cases and where our measures have been put in place to reduce the more riskier environments.”

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