Central Vancouver Island, encompassing communities like Nanaimo, Oceanside, Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet, accounted for a majority of new cases Friday. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

BIG JUMP

Central Island drives spike in COVID-19 cases across Island Health

Oct 22, 2021 | 4:07 PM

NANAIMO — Central Vancouver Island has accounted for the bulk of a much higher than normal increase in COVID-19 cases.

Island Health reported 91 new cases on Friday, Oct. 22, well above additions through the week and one of the highest daily additions in September and October.

The central Island region accounted for 59 of the new cases with 22 to the south and 10 in the north.

Active cases rose to 452, an increase of 21 from Thursday’s report. Central Vancouver Island continues to lead the health authority in active cases with 239, up 22 from the day prior.

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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According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, 54 patients are admitted to Vancouver Island hospitals for COVID-19 including 20 in intensive care.

Provincial public health confirmed another 649 new cases across B.C. on Friday. Active cases rose for the second straight day, back up to 5,106.

The number of people in B.C. hospitals dropped marginally, down to 365, however intensive care units saw an increase with 142 people receiving critical care.

A further 13 deaths directly linked to the pandemic were also reported Friday, including two from Island Health. To date, 86 people from the health authority and 2,109 province-wide have lost their lives to COVID-19.

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