New statistics released by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control on Dec. 21, 2021 show a sudden spike of new COVID-19 cases in the Revelstoke LHA during a weekly period ending on Dec. 19.
During the previous week ending Dec. 12, there were no cases recorded here.
During the week of Dec. 13–19, 2021, Revelstoke had a daily case rate of 26 per 100,000 population. Converted to a weekly figure, that is about 17 cases during that weekly period.
The test positivity rate for the period was 14%, a high number.
The increase in cases in the Revelstoke LHA is the biggest increase out of any Local Health Area in Interior Health, and it leaves Revelstoke with the second highest case rate in the health authority. The Cariboo/Chilcotin is the highest, but it experienced a small drop during the same interval.
In Revelstoke, COVID-19 test booking appointments have been booked up quickly in recent days. New test appointments available on Dec. 20 were all taken in under half an hour. Interior Health said it was seeking to increase capacity. When we checked at one point today, Revelstoke was one of only three LHAs in Interior Health that did not have testing appointments available.
Testing appointments are limited, and tests are being booked several days into the future. Because resources are being stretched due to the rapidly increasing wave of Omicron variant-driven COVID-19 infections, the latest figures are likely under-count.
In its latest update on Dec. 21, provincial health leaders urged personal caution in the wave of the new, highly transmissible variant.
B.C. sets new daily case record
Although official stats have not been published, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said during a Dec. 21 media conference that the number of daily new cases would be around 1,300, a new daily record since the pandemic began.
Also today: New restrictions in B.C.
The B.C. government announced a new round of restrictions for B.C. starting Dec. 22. Details here: