Amidst news of record breaking reports of new cases throughout British Columbia, North Vancouver Island continues to remain relatively COVID free.

North Vancouver Island

There were three new cases last week.

One of these was at Wood Elementary School in Port Alberni, where Island Health reported a coronavirus exposure on Monday, October 19.

Aside from the fact they took place somewhere in the region between Courtenay and the northern tip of Vancouver Island, no details have been disclosed regarding the other two cases.

Greater Campbell River Health Area

The last known confirmed case in the Greater Campbell River Health Area was at Carihi Secondary school earlier this month. This brought the total number of publicly disclosed cases in our health area, since the outbreak began, to 13.* None of these are classified as active. 

We will know more, including any of the recent reports are from our area, when the BC Centre for Disease Control publishes the map of cases by local health area for October.  

Island Health reports “There are no COVID-19 outbreaks at Island Health facilities at this time, including long-term care facilities.”

The Rest of British Columbia

Meanwhile the trajectory of new cases within the rest of the province is climbing at an alarming rate. A new record, 203 cases reported in one day, was set on Wednesday. This was promptly beaten Thursday, by 274. 

Caroline Colijn, the Canada 150 research chair in mathematics for infection, evolution and public health, said that the number of daily cases reported could double in 40 days.

*Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to reflect an updated case count.

Top photo credit: Wood elementary school in Port Alberni – courtesy Google Maps