Island Health recorded 52 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, April 13 as the province eyes extending to expanding restrictions. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

COVID-19

Potential travel restrictions looming as Island Health confirms 52 new cases

Apr 13, 2021 | 4:22 PM

NANAIMO — A series of restrictions on inter-provincial travel are possible as both public health and the province eye their next steps to fight COVID-19.

Premier John Horgan said on Tuesday, April 13, new restrictions could come as early as Thursday. The possibility stems from discussions with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and would examine accommodation and campsite bookings.

Current restrictions affecting in-restaurant dining and indoor workouts expire at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 19. Dr. Henry’s next in-person briefing is due Thursday, April 15 where it’s likely she’ll address the restrictions and either rescind, extend or expand on them.

Island Health reported 52 new cases of COVID-19 in the health authority on Tuesday, including 20 from the central Vancouver Island region.

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

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The number of active cases continued its recent trend down, dropping 27 to 467. All but two of the decrease were from south of the Malahat.

There are currently 190 active cases of COVID-19 in the central Island region, accounting for 41 per cent of the active cases in the health authority.

The BC Centre for Disease Control confirmed 873 new cases across B.C. on Tuesday with 9,756 currently active, a slight increase over Monday’s report.

Across B.C., 377 people are hospitalized including 117 receiving critical care. The BC CDC reports 18 people in hospital within Island Health with four in critical care.

A further two people passed away as a result of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The number of British Columbians to die from COVID related ailments now stands at 1,515.

Public health’s tracking of variants of concern continues with a total of 5,221 since the start of the pandemic, 258 of which are active. A majority of the variants continue to be the U.K variant.

The province said in a joint statement it has administered 1,148,993 doses of vaccine across B.C. from the three approved and available vaccines.

Appointments are currently open for those aged 65 and over, as well as Indigenous people 18 and over.

People aged 55 to 65 can elect to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine through a pharmacy, including 13 on the mid-Island.

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– with files from The Canadian Press

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