A total of 556 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed across B.C. on Tuesday as vaccination efforts continue to ramp up. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

VACCINE EFFORTS

Island Health confirms 29 new COVID-19 cases, central Island dips below 100 active

Mar 16, 2021 | 4:08 PM

NANAIMO — New COVID-19 cases in B.C. and the Island Health region continue outpacing recent averages.

Island Health confirmed 29 new cases on Tuesday, March 16, including 18 within 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.

Active cases in the health authority continued their downward dip, dropping 14 to 202. The central Vancouver Island region accounts for 96 active cases with 68 in the south Island and 38 in the north.

The province reported 556 new cases on Tuesday, slightly above B.C.’s rolling seven day average.

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Active cases in British Columbia rose marginally to 4,999 with 280 people in hospital including 84 receiving intensive care.

The province also continues monitoring three variants of concern stemming from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil.

A total of 116 new variant cases were part of Tuesday’s additions for a total of 996. Just 130 cases involving variants are active with the remainder already past their infectious period.

Public health administered 15,414 doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours, taking B.C.’s total to 424,517 including 87,070 second doses which are largely halted.

“Every person who receives a vaccine makes all of us safer, which is why teams are working hard to ensure every drop of available vaccine supply gets into arms as soon as possible,” a joint statement from the province and public health read.

Vaccinations in B.C. are ahead of schedule with those aged 80-85 able to book appointments beginning in different days this week.

Information on who is eligible to book appointments for COVID-19 vaccines is available on the Island Health website.

No fatalities linked to COVID-19 were recorded on Tuesday.

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