Vaccination rates among eligible B.C. residents are now at 82.3 per cent. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CASE LOAD

Over half of Island COVID-19 hospitalizations receiving intensive care, 78 new cases Tuesday

Oct 5, 2021 | 4:21 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health confirmed another 78 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

It again falls in line with recent daily averages, in almost heartbeat consistency for the last few weeks with the rolling seven day average neither rising or lowering drastically.

The central Island accounted for 27 of the new cases confirmed Tuesday, Oct. 5, with 39 in the south and 12 to the north.

Active cases rose 24, now sitting at 621 including 242 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.

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Vancouver Island hospitals have 40 patients currently admitted for COVID-19, according to data from the BC Centre for Disease Control. Just over half, 23, are listed in ICU.

Across B.C., 593 new cases were announced, well below the rolling seven-day average of 699.

Active cases remained relatively unchanged, dropping slightly to 5,937.

Of those currently diagnosed with COVID-19, 345 people are in hospital for their symptoms including 144 in critical care.

Data from the province showed of all hospitalizations since Sept. 27, 78 per cent were either unvaccinated or had only received one dose of vaccine.

Health minister Adrian Dix confirmed Tuesday 32 patients were recently relocated from the Northern Health authority to ease overloaded ICU’s and taken for treatment in other parts of the province, including Vancouver Island.

Twenty-six of the patients were COVID-positive and all were not fully vaccinated.

B.C.’s vaccination rate continues to creep up slowly, with 82.3 per cent of eligible residents considered fully immunized.

Earlier Tuesday, the province announced changes for access to long term care and assisted living facilities.

Beginning Oct. 12, visitors must provide proof of full immunization against COVID-19 through the BC Vaccine Card.

Acute care facilities will be subject to the same restrictions on Oct. 26.

The move follows health orders which mandate vaccination for workers in the health care system, making COVID-19 immunization a condition of employment.

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