Island Health continues to see its case rate increase at an above-average rate, thanks in large part to higher transmission rates through central Vancouver Island. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID update

Central Island sees sizeable increase in COVID-19 cases

Oct 28, 2021 | 4:44 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health has seen another larger-than-average spike in COVID-19 cases.

The health authority posted 90 new cases on Thursday, Oct. 28 with two-thirds stemming from the central Island region.

Data from the BC Centre for Disease Control suggests case rates continuing to spike in the Alberni-Clayoquot region with up to 36 per 100,000 people contracting COVID-19. However, the Greater Nanaimo region has also seen a moderate increase over the same Oct. 19-25 time period.

The region’s case rate is now 13 per 100,000 people, up from single digits the week prior.

Active cases in the health authority rose to 488, including 298 in the central Island region. The south Island has 141 currently diagnosed while 49 reside in the north.

targeted job action

Striking Nanaimo postal workers disrupt Purolator operations

1h ago

final flight

Massive Philippine Mars waterbomber preparing for final Island departure

6h ago

Skatepark refresh

Town of Ladysmith seeks public insight in reforming skateboard park

20h ago

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

The BC CDC lists 55 people in hospital on Vancouver Island from the virus, including 26 receiving intensive care.

The province reported 758 new cases Thursday, for a total of 204,330 since the start of the pandemic.

A total of 4,961 are currently active, representing an increase of 223 from Wednesday’s report.

Included are 434 people are in hospital with COVID-19 related complications, while 155 are under intensive care.

An additional ten deaths directly linked to COVID-19 were confirmed by the province Thursday, none of which were in the Island Health region.

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