Interior records 277 new COVID-19 cases, one death

Feb 16, 2022 | 4:45 PM Pete McIntyre

The Interior had the most new COVID-19 cases of any health authority in B.C. Wednesday, Feb. 16.

Of the 750 new cases identified throughout the province, 277 were recorded in the Interior. The region with the second highest new daily figures was Fraser Health with 167, followed by Northern Health with 108.

The new cases come following the completion of 7,562 tests in B.C., creating a provincial positivity rate of 9.9 per cent. The Interior had a positivity rate of 22.1 per cent after 1,253 tests were administered Wednesday.

The Interior also recorded one of the 11 deaths linked to COVID-19 Wednesday. To date 2,777 British Columbians have died due to the virus, 342 of whom were located in the Interior.

Provincial hospitalizations fell Wednesday to 762, down 25 from the day before, while the number of patients in intensive care fell by four to 121. In the Interior, there were 164 COVID-19 patients in hospital, 19 of whom were in intensive care.

The provincial COVID-19 vaccination rates for eligible British Columbians aged five and older were recorded at 90.4 per cent for first doses and 85.4 per cent for second jabs Wednesday.

The first dose rates for residents aged 12 and up were reported at 93.1 per cent, while the second dose rate was 90.5 per cent and the third shot rate was 53.3 per cent.

Additionally, 93.5 per cent of B.C.’s adults have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 91 per cent have had two jabs and 55. per cent have received a booster.