B.C. COVID case count rising as Interior, Island Health record most infections Tuesday

There’s plenty to learn about the Omicron variant, and we still need to be careful. It’s the takeaway message from Dr. Bonnie Henry as many prepare to enjoy the holidays with COVID still in our midst.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise as the province recorded a jump in the last day.

On Tuesday, B.C. reported 519 new infections – 170 new cases higher than Monday’s new case count.

Fraser Health has been recording the highest number of cases for weeks, but the Interior Health has pulled ahead with 145 COVID-19 cases. Island Health recorded the second-highest number of cases with 123.

Fraser Health recorded 110, Vancouver Coastal Health recorded 106, Northern Health recorded 34 and one person who lives outside the country tested positive.

Earlier Tuesday, B.C. health officials said 44 cases of the fast-spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 were confirmed in B.C., with 20 linked to international travel.

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Officials also said 37 of the cases were among those who have been vaccinated but there have been no hospitalizations linked to the variant.

The variant cases were detected in all five health authorities, with Fraser Health recording more than half (24 cases).

Vancouver Coastal Health recorded 11, Island Health recorded five, Interior Health recorded three and Northern Health recorded one.

The latest modelling data suggests a worst-case scenario involving Omicron would be 2,000 new cases per day by the end of the month.

A best-case scenario would be 1,000 a day by mid-January.

As of Tuesday, there are 3,171 active cases and 191 people in hospital, 81 of whom are in intensive care. Both hospitalizations and ICU cases are up from Monday’s provincial update, when 185 people were in hospital and 72 in intensive care.

In the last day, no deaths were reported and there were no new health-care facility outbreaks.

In total, there are three facilities with ongoing outbreaks:

  • Long-term care: Ponderosa Lodge (Interior Health)
  • Acute care: Ridge Meadows Hospital (Fraser Health)
  • Assisted or independent living: Laurier Manor (Northern Health)

Health officials are recommending against large holiday parties but say the province won’t likely roll out free at-home rapid tests before January.

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