Interior records 69 new COVID-19 cases as health-care facility outbreaks decline

Interior Health confirmed 69 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.

The region had the second highest daily total after Fraser Health’s 70 cases Tuesday. A total of 237 new infections were confirmed across B.C.

There were no deaths linked to the virus Tuesday, and the number of British Columbians in hospital with COVID-19 fell by 14 to 345. Of those patients, 50 were in intensive care, one fewer than the previous day.

The provincial vaccination rates for British Columbians age five and over were recorded at 90.7 per cent for first doses and 86.8 per cent for second jabs Tuesday.

Additionally, 56.7 per cent of eligible residents 12 and over have received a booster shot.

The number of active health-care facility outbreaks in B.C. fell by five Tuesday, and included in the outbreaks declared over were Mission Creek Landing, Williams Lake Seniors Village and Fischer Place in the Interior.

A total of eight facilities were still classified as active outbreaks, including the Ponderosa Lodge assisted living facility in Kamloops and the Hillside Village nursing home in Salmon Arm.