Interior’s active COVID-19 cases continue to climb

The Interior’s active COVID-19 case count saw another big gain Wednesday.

The region’s active cases reached 2,563 as 473 new cases were confirmed in the Interior.

The cases were part of 3,798 recorded across B.C., bringing the provincial active case count to 29,967.

Hospitalizations also saw increases Wednesday, as 317 British Columbians were in hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19, including 83 patients who were in intensive care.

The Ministry of Health notes that over the past two weeks, the unvaccinated and fully vaccinated have both accounted for 48.6 per cent of new hospitalizations.

The provincial vaccination rate meanwhile rose to 88.3 per cent for all British Columbians aged five and older, while the second dose rate increased to 83 per cent.

The province said that 92 per cent of eligible residents aged 12 and over have received one jab, 89.3 per cent were double dosed and 21.5 per cent had received a third or a booster shot.

Looking just at British Columbia’s adult population, the vaccination rate was 92.4 per cent for first doses, 89.7 per cent for second jabs and 23.1 per cent for third shots.

There remains 21 ongoing health-care facility outbreaks in B.C., including the Ridgeview Lodge and the Mount Cartier Court in the Interior.