Island Health's tally of active COVID-19 cases on the central Island dropped to 94, down substantially over recent weeks. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CASES DROP

Active COVID-19 cases in central Island drop below 100

Apr 20, 2021 | 4:20 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health is continuing to trend on the downward slope from B.C.’s third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 32 cases were confirmed by the health authority on Tuesday, April 20 including 14 in the central Island region.

A further 14 cases were in the southern portion of Vancouver Island with four to the north.

Active cases across Island Health dropped to 326 with 94 present in the central Island. After leading the way for much of the winter months, the Island Health residents from the Malahat to Qualicum Beach account for just 28 per cent of active COVID cases.

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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Provincially, 849 new cases were announced via a joint statement from the BC Government and public health.

Active cases BC-wide dropped to 9,145, down around 200 from Monday’s tally.

The good news stopped there as hospitalizations increased by 15 to 456 including 148 receiving intensive care.

On Monday, April 19, Premier John Horgan announced pending restrictions on non-essential travel across B.C.

Beginning Friday, April 23, fines can be issued by police at Counter Attack-style checkstops if they are outside their own health authority without a valid reason.

The move is designed to stop travellers from the Lower Mainland coming to Vancouver Island, or those in the Interior from going to Vancouver.

Fines will not be issued for travel between communities within a health authority, including all travel on Vancouver Island, however community-to-community travel is still discouraged as the province maintains its plea for people to stay close to home.

Also Tuesday, Island Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Longlake Chateau over after no evidence of further transmission among residents and staff.

Eight people were detected during the outbreak, however vaccine effectiveness is credited for no fatalities and only minor cold-like symptoms in those affected.

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