COVID cases took another jump province-wide and in the Island Health region over the weekend. (NanaimoNewsNOW file photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID update

‘This is our third wave:’ nearly 3,300 COVID cases announced in B.C.

Apr 12, 2021 | 4:31 PM

NANAIMO — New COVID-19 cases in the province took another upward swing.

Health officials announced 3,289 new cases of the virus since Friday, April 9 throughout B.C. including 169 new cases in the Island Health region.

The Central Island zone saw 61 new cases of the virus over the weekend, while the number of active cases in the region dipped by 21 to 191.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said we’ve clearly entered our third wave of the virus in B.C.

“And knowing this, we need to chart our best path forward to manage this wave in British Columbia,” Dr. Henry said, who noted about half of all active COVID cases in the province involve one of the cantagious variants of concern.

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Hospitalizations closed in on a record-high of 368 province-wide, while 121 ailing British Columbians are occupying critical care beds.

Dr. Henry said a recent shift to target vaccinations for certain professions continues, which includes emergency responders in hot spot Lower Mainland communities.

“To help put the brakes on transmission where we’re seeing it happen worst, and that includes places like Prince Rupert and Terrace and most recently Whistler.”

She reinforced the importance of not travelling unnecessarily outside of your own community.

While Dr. Henry didn’t express where restrictions are going, she said decisions to implement them aren’t taken lightly, citing the physical and mental toll the measures have.

“For us that has mean taking only as much restriction as we need to suppress the virus and ensure that our healthcare system is functioning and people are protected as best we can.”

On Monday, April 19 at midnight current restrictions are slated to expire, most notably involving a ban on in-restaurant dining.

Health minister Adrian Dix said while overall hospital capacity to care for people suffering from the virus is manageable, he said several Lower Mainland hospitals are currently near capacity.

He said well over one million British Columbians have received at least one COVID vaccination so far.

“That’s almost 24 per cent of those eligible to be vaccinated in B.C. It’s 85 per cent of those over 80, over half of those over 65 have been vaccinated.”

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