COVID-19 surge continues with 14 new cases on Vancouver Island
Health officials identified 14 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region Thursday, the highest daily total in over two months.
The new cases are among 204 cases found across British Columbia over the past 24 hours.
The 14 new cases in the island region represents the largest single-day case total for the region since May 26, when 14 cases were recorded, according to data from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
There are currently 1,005 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including 51 active cases in the island region, according to a statement Thursday from the health ministry.
The ministry said in its statement, however, that the numbers are provisional due to a delay in data reporting and are therefore subject to change.
A discrepancy in the daily COVID-19 numbers was apparent in the BCCDC's count, which recorded 15 new cases in the Vancouver Island region Thursday, and 202 new cases in B.C.
There is currently one person in hospital with COVID-19 in the island region and no one in critical care, according to the BCCDC.
Island Health officials identified the locations of 48 active cases in the island region Thursday, including 29 in the South Island, 17 in the Central Island and two in the North Island.
There were no deaths from the disease reported in B.C. on Thursday, leaving the province's pandemic death toll at 1,771.
Since the pandemic began, 41 people have died of COVID-19 in the Island Health region.
"We are seeing an increase in cases – not unexpected in most places," said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry during an unrelated news conference Thursday.
"As we mentioned yesterday, we have had a rapid increase in one area of the province and there are additional measures that are in place in that area to try and prevent transmission," Henry added.
The provincial health officer also advised out-of-province travellers to only visit B.C. once they have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
"We're happy to have you come, fully vaccinated," Henry said.
As of Thursday, 81 per cent of British Columbians aged 12 and older have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 64.1 per cent have received two doses.
B.C. health-care workers have administered 6,732,309 doses of COVID-19 vaccine since the vaccines became available in December.
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 between the daily case counts reported by the BCCDC and Island Health.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.