COVID-19

131 new cases of COVID-19 in Northern Health

Oct 19, 2021 | 4:09 PM

VICTORIA — The provincial government announced 131 new cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Health region, today 560 provincially.

The new/active cases include:

* 208 new cases in Fraser Health
* Total active cases: 2,052

* 80 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
* Total active cases: 717

* 79 new cases in Interior Health
* Total active cases: 772

* 131 new cases in Northern Health
* Total active cases: 797

* 61 new cases in Island Health
* Total active cases: 516

* one new case of a person who resides outside of Canada
* Total active cases: 59

That’s more new cases up north than in more largely populated regions like Vancouver Coastal Health and Interior Health.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says it’s due to lower vaccination rates in northern B.C.

There are 4,913 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. Of the active cases, 382 individuals are in hospital and 146 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Sadly, five more people have died, including two residents of Northern B.C.

As for vaccinations, 89.2% (4,136,000) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.5% (3,870,709) have received their second dose.