The province will soon require proof of immunization from COVID-19 for certain businesses and events, as case counts continue to climb cross B.C. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CONTINUED CLIMB

124 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend throughout Island Health

Aug 23, 2021 | 4:29 PM

NANAIMO — The steady rise in COVID-19 cases in Island Health has continued.

Island Health confirmed 124 new cases over three reporting periods from the weekend. It brings the total number of cases in the health authority throughout the pandemic to 5,965. Twenty-two of the new cases were from the cental Vancouver Island area.

Active cases rose to 358, including 142 on the central Island. Southern Vancouver Island currently has 154 people diagnosed with COVID-19, the remaining 62 are in the north.

According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, 19 people are hospitalized including 10 receiving intensive care.

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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Province wide, 1,711 new cases were identified over the weekend, however numbers dropped from 724 on Saturday, Aug. 21 to 442 on Monday, Aug. 23.

Nearly 45 per cent of the new cases were in the Interior Health authority where a series of new restrictions and public health orders were implemented last week to curb transmission rates.

Active cases sit at 5,056 across B.C. including 133 people in hospital, 80 of whom are in intensive care.

Another 16 deaths were recorded, including one within Island Health. To date, 1,801 people have lost their lives to COVID-19.

The province noted in its Monday update, 71 per cent of cases between Aug. 11-17 were among unvaccinated people. A further 16 per cent were with people who have received one dose.

Between Aug. 10-16, 84 per cent of all hospitalizations were among unvaccinated people.

In response to a rising number of cases and transmission among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people, the province said on Monday it will implement a vaccine passport system for non-essential events and businesses.

Indoor sporting events, dining at restaurants and visiting the gym are just a few of the activities which will require proof of at least one dose of vaccine come Sep. 13, while full vaccination will be required by Oct. 24.

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