Revelstoke’s COVID-19 case rate continues to climb in August, and is on track to translate to about 18 new weekly cases for the week ending August 9. The case number, a projection based on limited data provided, has been calculated using updated data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) released on Aug. 10, 2021.
For the previous period ending Aug. 5, which also overlaps with the current period, the case rate was 15 per 100,000, and was tracking for 11 new cases per week during that period.
The BCCDC’s last official epi-week report was for week 30, from July 25–31. There were three cases recorded during that weekly period.
The actual final figure for the epi-week may be different than the projection because the weekly case rate recording period does not fall on the same dates as epi-weeks. Case rates are reported twice weekly and don’t synchronize with epi-week cutoff dates.
The next official epi-week update comes on Aug. 11, for the week covering Aug. 1–7.
Although Revelstoke has the highest first- and second-dose vaccination rates in Interior Health, it now has the sixth highest case rate per 100,000 population, trailing only Central Okanagan, Nelson, Castlegar, Creston and Enderby out of 30 Local Health Areas in Interior Health. These Local Health Area case rates are the highest in Interior Health and all of B.C.
Interior Health test positivity climbs to new highs
The test positivity rate in Interior Health is by far the highest it’s been during the pandemic. The previous high came at the peak of the second wave and reached 10.1%. Currently, it is at 14.3%. This figure shows the percentage of tests that come back positive for COVID-19.
B.C. update
The fourth wave of the pandemic, driven by the more transmissible Delta variant, continues to increase in B.C., with the seven-day average doubling in the past week to 383 cases. There are 3,284 active cases in B.C. 71 are hospitalized and 23 in intensive care.
Provincially, 82.1% of people aged 12 and over have received a vaccine. In Revelstoke, it’s now 86%. Despite Revelstoke’s frontrunner status in vaccinations in Interior Health, our vaccination rate is just above the provincial average for those who have received a second dose. In B.C., 70.6% of residents aged 12+ have received a second dose; in Revelstoke it’s 73%.
As of Aug. 10, Interior Health recorded 187 new cases for a total of 1,893 active cases. Interior Health accounted for just under half of all new COVID-19 cases in B.C.
Provincial and regional health authorities and leaders have emphasized that the Delta variant wave is impacting unvaccinated and undervaccinated young people aged 20-40, urging people in that demographic to get vaccinated. Of course, they also urge everyone to get vaccinated.
Breakdown of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated hospital admissions
B.C. health authorities lag far behind other provinces in providing timely, accessible data on the COVID-19 pandemic. On Aug. 10, B.C. provided an update on hospitalization rates, comparing fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated patient admissions. Unfortunately, the data is dated (up to July 24) and does not account for much of the steep rise in the most recent weeks.
The statistic shows the overwhelming majority of those admitted are not vaccinated, but also that some people who are partially or fully vaccinated are also being admitted. It’s important to note that unvaccinated residents are a minority, but make up the majority of the hospital admissions.
The next scheduled COVID-19 clinic in Revelstoke is on Aug. 13. To register, see this provincial registration website. COVID-19 vaccine clinics in B.C. now also accept walk-ins with no appointment.
Check back to revelstokemountaineer.com on the evening of Aug. 11 for the latest confirmed cases in the Revelstoke LHA during the latest epi-week.