Interior records 71 new COVID-19 cases with new outbreaks in Lumby and Enderby

The Interior closed out the month of March with the highest count of new COVID-19 cases, and the addition of two health-care facility outbreaks.

Interior Health confirmed 71 new COVID-19 cases Thursday. That was the most out of all provincial health authorities, with Island Health having the second highest new case count at 56, followed by Vancouver Coastal Health at 55.

In total, 249 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed across B.C.

There were two new health-care facility outbreaks in the Interior; one at Parkview Place assisted living facility in Enderby and another at Monashee Mews assisted living in Lumby. Those were the only active outbreak sites in the Interior.

In all of B.C. there were nine health care facilities classified as active outbreaks

There were two deaths linked to the virus, both from the Fraser Health area. To date, 2,998 British Columbians have died due to COVID-19.

Provincial hospitalization figures rose by five Thursday, as there were 281 British Columbians in hospital with COVID-19. Of those patients, 42 were in intensive are, down one from the day before.

The provincial COVID-19 vaccination coverage for eligible British Columbians age five and over was at 90.8 per cent for first doses and 87.3 per cent for second jabs Thursday.

Additionally, 57.5 per cent of British Columbians age 12 and over have received a booster shot.