Vancouver Island adds 5 cases of COVID-19 over weekend
Health officials identified five new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region over the weekend.
The new cases were among 229 cases found across B.C. since the last update from the province on Friday. That total includes 94 cases identified on Saturday, 90 cases found on Sunday and 45 cases identified Monday.
Authorities have now confirmed 147,131 cases of COVID-19 in B.C. since the pandemic began, including 5,150 cases in the Vancouver Island region.
Three more people in B.C. died of COVID-19 over the weekend, health officials announced Monday, bringing B.C.'s pandemic death toll to 1,743.
“Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19,” said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix in a statement Monday.
None of the weekend deaths were on Vancouver Island, where 41 people have died since the pandemic began.
There are currently 44 active cases of COVID-19 in the island region, including four people in hospital and one more in critical care, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Island Health identified the locations of 29 of the active cases Monday, including 19 in the South Island, eight in the Central Island and two in the North Island.
Approximately 77.3 per cent of adults in B.C. have now received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 75.8 per cent of people aged 12 and older have received their first shot.
Health officials continue to encourage all British Columbians to get vaccinated against the coronavirus as soon as possible.
“In particular, as the school year comes to a close, we encourage all eligible youth, those 12 and older, to get your first dose before the summer holidays begin,” said Dix and Henry. “This will allow you and your family to enjoy your summer even more, knowing you have protection from COVID-19.”
The health officials are also warning travellers in particular to get vaccinated before leaving home.
“Let’s remember that the virus is still circulating in communities, here in B.C. and in neighbouring provinces and territories,” Dix and Henry said. “If you are planning a trip, ensure you are vaccinated before you go – it is your ticket to safe travel this summer.”
Background
CTV News Vancouver Island reports the daily COVID-19 case counts as reported by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix, which are based on BCCDC data. There may be a discrepancy from the daily case counts reported by the BCCDC and Island Health.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.