Dr. Bonnie Henry has danced around using the phrase "third wave" as cases and hospitalizations gradually increase. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

Central Vancouver Island no longer leading in active COVID-19 cases

Mar 23, 2021 | 4:32 PM

NANAIMO — The central Vancouver Island area no longer has the most active COVID-19 cases.

Data from Island Health shows south Vancouver Island now has slightly more with 100 active cases, compared to 98 in the central Island area.

Though the numbers can shift, it marks a change in direction within Island Health. For much of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the second wave in the fall of 2020, central Vancouver Island had roughly two third to three quarters of all active cases within Island Health.

This is reflected in the total number of cases since the pandemic began. Central Vancouver Island suffered 1,655 while south Vancouver Island saw 818 and north Vancouver Island endured 484 total cases.

There were 20 new COVID-19 cases confirmed within Island Health on Tuesday, March 23 with 217 active.

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The number of new cases is down from the end of the week before when 37 were announced on Friday, March 19.

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.

The province confirmed 682 new COVID-19 cases with 5,409 active.

Though the increase is not as swift as the second wave in November, the number of new cases and hospitalizations are increasing from the relative lows of January after vaccinations began.

Nearly 560,000 vaccines have been administered, 87,000 of which are second doses.

One more person passed away from COVID-19.

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