There are 114 active cases of COVID-19 in Island Health, including 16 reported today. That number includes 60 in the central region, up 10 from yesterday, along with 34 in the south and 20 in the north.
Island Health declared a new outbreak at the Tsawaayuss-Rainbow Gardens long-term care home in Port Alberni.
“One staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 to date. No residents are currently experiencing symptoms,” said Dominic Abassi, spokesperson for Island Health. The staff member is isolating at home.
Across B.C., 717 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to a joint statement from Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer and Adrian Dix, minister of health.
“There are 6,589 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 198 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 63 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation,” the statement said.
The province announced 11 new deaths from the virus. Currently there are 10,960 people under active public health monitoring as a result of exposure to the virus.
“We have seen an increase in new cases on Vancouver Island, in the interior and in the north, many of which are connected to travel to and from the Lower Mainland. That is why is it important that we stay local and travel less right now,” said the statement.
