Significant jump in COVID-19 cases in Vernon area

Sep 2, 2021 | 2:10 PM Pete McIntyre

COVID-19 cases nearly doubled in Greater Vernon last week, which is one reason why the area is considered a hot spot for cases in Interior Health.

Vernon, Coldstream and Regional District of North Okanagan Areas B and C had 263 new cases between Aug. 22–28, which was up 130, or 97.7 per cent, from the previous week.

Armstrong-Spallumcheen also saw more cases with 24 new cases, while Enderby’s declined to 19.

The Central Okanagan saw its case numbers go down by over 200, to 511, a 28.6 per cent decrease.

Here are case numbers from some communities of note in Interior Health:

Vernon – 263 (up by 130)
Armstrong-Spallumcheen – 24 (up by eight)
Enderby – 19 (down by nine)
Salmon Arm – 93 (up by 14)
Central Okanagan – 511 (down by 226)
Penticton — 69 (up by 26)
South Okanagan — 53 (up by 31)
Revelstoke – three (down by 21)
Golden — 38 (up by 15)
Kamloops – 249 (up by 56)
Cariboo/Chilcotin – 66 (up by 22)

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said earlier this week a majority of the new cases involve unvaccinated residents, mostly between the ages of 19 and 39.

Click here to see the provincial map with all the case numbers.