Island wide restrictions were lifted
Health

New Daily average of cases: zero

The new daily average of COVID 19 cases per 100,000 people has dropped to zero throughout most of Vancouver Island, according to the latest data from the BC Centre for Disease Control. 

New Daily average of cases

The exceptions are Greater Nanaimo, where the number has dropped to 2, Greater Victoria, where the rate is now 1, and the Southern Gulf Islands, where the rate is also 1 per 100,000 people.  

The average daily rate of new cases per 100,000 people in Greater Campbell River,  the Comox Valley and the rest of North Vancouver Island is zero.

This data is for the week of May 25th to 31st. 

Another data set, also from the BC Centre of Disease Control, shows 1 case in the Greater Campbell River Area and 7 in the Comox Valley during the week of May 23 to 29th.

Statistics for June 2nd

The most up to date data, released by Island Health at 4 PM on Wednesday, June 2nd states there are still 5 active cases in North Vancouver Island. 

There are a total of 52 active cases on Vancouver Island, 90% of which are in South or Central Vancouver Island. 

According to yesterday’s joint statement, from Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, there were two new cases on Vancouver Island.

Province wide approach

A reporter asked whether it is time for BC to adopt a regional, rather than province wide, approach to COVID. 

“I believe one of the things that has allowed us to manage this pandemic in the way we have, and to keep our overall numbers low, is a co-ordinated provincial approach. We have seen the numbers decrease as the testing capacity increases, as the public health teams are doing their work, as our businesses are opening and changing around the province in sync,” replied Dr Henry. 

“I don’t feel that there is a differential risk rate right now. We are having low levels of transmission in parts of the province. We’ve had a couple of new cases in the North, a couple of new cases in the Interior, but where the population is, is where we are seeing most of it. This approach has really served us well and I think we should have a continued approach unless there is good evidence not to.” 

Vaccinations

She also reported that 3,365,286 doses of vaccine have been administered in BC and more than  71% of the population has received its first dose. 

“Island Health’s immunization team will return to Cortes Island from June 21-23 and to Quadra Island June 27-30 to conduct COVID-19 vaccine clinics for second doses, along with first doses for those who have not yet been vaccinated, including 12-17 year olds,” it says on the Tideline.

“Residents who have received their second dose booking notice will be able to begin booking in to these clinics on Friday, June 4 at 12 noon. Please follow the link from the text or email you received inviting you to book your second dose.”

“If you had your first dose more than 8 weeks ago and have not received a notification to book your second dose, you may not be registered in the provincial vaccination booking system. Please register by going to www.GetVaccinated.gov.bc.ca or call 1-833-838-2323 for support.”

Links of Interest:

Photo credits: (Top) Long Beach – Roy L Hales; (podcast) Cortes ferry terminal – Roy L Hales; Map showing active cases during the week of May 23 to 29th – BC Centre for Disease Control; Map showing daily rate of new cases per 100,000 – BC Centre for Disease Control

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