Island Health recorded its third straight day of COVID-19 case increases in the 20's, some of the highest daily updates throughout the pandemic. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

THREE IN A ROW

Island Health records third consecutive day of 20+ COVID-19 cases

Jan 8, 2021 | 3:56 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health reported more than 20 new COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive day.

The health authority added 27 new cases to its tally on Friday, Jan. 8. This is tied for the second highest increase throughout the entire pandemic. The highest day was only two days before with 28 on Wednesday, Jan. 6.

Island Health currently sits with 1,077 total cases since early last year, with roughly 15 per cent currently active. More specific data related to active cases is expected from Island Health later Friday afternoon.

More than 100 new cases were found in Island Health in the last week, with only one day dropping beneath 20 new.

Provincially, 617 new cases were added on Friday with 6,118 active cases in every health authority, including 358 people in hospital, 75 of whom are in ICU.

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The number of active cases and hospitalizations are down by roughly 200 from the day before.

A joint statement from the province and public health reported 18 additional fatalities due to COVID-19.

B.C. is now expected to cross the 1,000 fatality threshold by Monday’s COVID-19 announcement, including 12 in the Island Health region.

The province’s vaccine rollout program continues to operate in all health authorities with over 46,000 people having received the first of two doses of vaccine.

New clinics are set up in Nanaimo and Campbell River, in addition to an original clinic in Victoria where vaccine had been administered since late December to healthcare workers.

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