Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who implemented a three week "circuit breaker" to curb rampant COVID-19 transmission. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

B.C. records more than 4,000 new COVID-19 cases over long weekend

Apr 5, 2021 | 4:15 PM

NANAIMO — More than 4,000 new COVID-19 cases were found over the Easter long weekend.

A joint statement from the province on Monday, April 5 said 4,040 cases were discovered since Thursday, April 1. The first two days saw more than 1,000 cases a day, with slightly less found on the last two days.

The number of active cases in B.C. jumped by roughly 1,000 over the long weekend to 8,490. There’s currently 318 people in hospital, with 96 of those receiving intensive care.

The number of people receiving intensive care is the highest its been throughout the pandemic, rising 21 per cent in the last four days.

The joint statement said 247 COVID-19 cases were found in Island Health over the long weekend, with 147 the first two days and 100 the last two.

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There is a disparity between cases confirmed by Island Health and the province due to timing. NanaimoNewsNOW presents the Island Health numbers, but they weren’t available on Monday.

More than 900 variants were discovered since Thursday, April 1. There’s currently 588 variant cases active.

More than half the variants are from the UK, though a Brazil variant is catching up. It’s unknown where the active variant cases are.

B.C. suffered a high number of fatalities since April 1, with 23 people losing their lives.

Online booking for vaccine appointments open on Tuesday, April 6. Those 71 and over as well as Indigenous people over the age of 18 can book their appointments.

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