The number of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 rose to 3.87 million over the weekend, with 83.4 per cent of the population considered immune. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

DOWNWARD TREND

Island Health’s active COVID-19 cases drop over weekend reporting periods

Oct 18, 2021 | 4:10 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health has continued its slide down the back of COVID-19’s fourth wave.

The health authority confirmed 178 new cases over three weekend reporting periods between Friday, Oct. 15 and Monday, Oct. 18. The average of 59 cases per day is well below average daily increases from recent weeks.

Of the new cases, 80 came in the central Island with 82 in the south and 16 to the north.

Active cases saw a significant drop of 47 over the weekend, with 437 cases currently diagnosed across Island Health. Central Island continues to lead the way with 204, followed by 187 in the south and 46 in the north.

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, 46 people are in Vancouver Island hospitals for their symptoms, including 27 receiving intensive care.

Provincially, 1,846 new cases were confirmed by public health through the three weekend reporting periods.

Active cases continued their trend down sitting at 4,917 on Monday, a drop of over 200 from Friday.

Hospitals in B.C. have 360 patients admitted for COVID-19 symptoms including 151 receiving intensive care.

A vast majority of hospitalizations continue to be unvaccinated individuals with 68.8 per cent of total admissions between Oct. 1-14 having no vaccination history.

The province also reported 26 new deaths linked to the pandemic over the weekend, including three within Island Health.

A total of 2,081 people have died due to COVID-19 in B.C. since the start of the pandemic, including 83 in Island Health.

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