Vaccination rates continue to tick up, reaching the 80 per cent milestone among people aged 12 and up. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID UPDATE

B.C. vaccination rates top 80 per cent with 66 new Island Health COVID-19 cases

Sep 24, 2021 | 4:35 PM

NANAIMO — Four out of every five people aged 12 and up in British Columbia are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

An update from the province on Friday, Sept. 24 showed 3.71 million eligible people had received their second dose, account for 80 per cent of the eligible population

It’s a significant milestone with daily COVID-19 cases steadily climbing. A further 743 cases were added on Friday with active cases rising to 5,979.

Of active cases across the province, 319 were receiving care in hospital including 149 in intensive care.

Island Health reported 66 new cases on Friday including 24 from the central Island region.

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The health authority saw a sizeable drop in active cases, down 32 from Thursday’s update for a total of 535.

176 active cases remain on the central Island.

There is a data discrepancy between Island Health and the province, based on the timing of daily COVID-19 results. NanaimoNewsNOW reports local verified data from Island Health.

According to the BC CDC, 33 people are admitted to Island hospitals for COVID-19 including 21 receiving critical care.

Seven COVID-linked fatalities were also reported by the province on Friday, including one in Island Health.

It’s the 60th such death in the health authority through the pandemic.

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