Mass vaccination clinics, like the one at Beban Park in Nanaimo, are administering between 15,000 to 20,000 doses of vaccine a day across B.C. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

DAILY REPORT

Island Health’s active COVID-19 case count continues downward slide

Mar 17, 2021 | 4:24 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health’s COVID-19 curve is continuing a gradual path downwards with another day of below-average case counts.

The health authority confirmed just 16 cases on Wednesday, March 17. Eight came from the central Island with six in the south and two in the north.

The number of active cases fell by nine, to 193, including 92 in the central Island region. While the central region continues to account for the majority, only 47 per cent of active cases are on the central Island, down from 60 to 70 per cent in late 2020 and early 2021.

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.

Public health and the province jointly confirmed 498 new COVID-19 cases across B.C. on Wednesday.

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Active cases fell to 4,851 while hospitalizations (281) including patients in ICU (83) stayed nearly exactly at Tuesday’s level.

Four people lost their lives in COVID-19 related deaths, taking B.C.’s death toll to 1,411 throughout the pandemic.

No details on COVID-19 variants was made available Wednesday. The province pointed to a “lab sequencing issue” as the cause.

Another 19,623 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the last 24 hours at mass vaccination clinics across B.C.

Just 23 of the doses from the last day were to people who had already received their first shot.

Adjusted rules for liquor stores, pubs and restaurants are in effect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Wednesday.

Last call at liquor-serving establishments will be 8 p.m.

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