16 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Island Health in the last two day. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

8 new COVID-19 cases again announced for Island Health, positive trends seen across B.C.

Jun 17, 2021 | 4:13 PM

NANAIMO — The province is expecting a delay in vaccine shipments from Pfizer, but still believes it can meet vaccination goals in the short term.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Pfizer/BioNTech have indicated a drop in supply coming into B.C. through the first portion of next month.

“We will continue to work with what we get and be sure there will be enough vaccine for everything. We don’t expect this to affect our timelines, we hear the decrease in the first two weeks of July and they will be making up the increase in the last two weeks of July.”

Larger than anticipated shipments of Moderna are expected to cover a majority of the shortfall.

Recently, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization suggested both mRNA vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, are virtually interchangeable and provide similar levels of protection.

spring break

'This is broadening his world:' Nanaimo teen fulfilling life dream in Mexico

1h ago

Performance Spikes

Mariners volleyball teams seeded second entering PACWEST provincials

3h ago

deep meaning

Qualicum artist creates design for annual Canucks First Nations game

8h ago

“That is to reassure people, if that occasion happens when they don’t have what the initial vaccine you were given for your dose one, it is perfect safe and equally effective to receive one of the other mRNA vaccines.”

Studies continue on those who received AstraZeneca as a first dose, with early results indicating a small boost in protection when receiving mRNA as a second dose.

Dr. Henry said work continues around the world on determining ideal vaccine intervals, combinations and whether a third booster dose will be required to stave off the spread of variants.

B.C. announced 120 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. The number of active cases dropped by only three to 1,451.

Of the 131 people in hospital, 44 are receiving critical care.

There was one new fatality.

Eight new cases were found within Island Health. Central Vancouver Island saw the most new cases with four, with the remainer split between the northern and southern areas.

Eight new cases were found the day before as Island Health grapples with an increase in the last 10 days.

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.

There are currently 55 active cases within Island Health, a drop of two. The number of active cases within northern and central Vancouver Island remained unchanged with the decrease seen in southern Vancouver Island.

Earlier on Thursday, the province unveiled a return to normal plan for B.C. schools, including removal of the learning cohort system used during the 2020/21 school year.

Over $43 million in funding was also confirmed to shore up COVID response and supports for the 2021/22 school year.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow