COVID-19 infections continue to soar in B.C., with both the province and Island Health reporting record high numbers of new cases on Thursday.
Of the 2,046 new cases reported in B.C., 248 were in Island Health. The previous one-day high in the region — 202 cases — was recorded on Tuesday.
As of Thursday, there were 1,267 reported active cases in Island Health. The health authority said more than half the cases are on the south Island.
One COVID-related death was reported in Island Health, bringing the confirmed provincial total to 2,410. Across the province, there were 8,739 active cases of COVID-19 reported. Of these, 195 people are in hospital and 75 are in intensive care.
The growth of the Omicron variant — there have been 235 cases confirmed in Island Health and 975 for province — is prompting Island Health to open its testing sites on Christmas Day.
The health authority has been experiencing a significant increase in demand for COVID‑19 testing, with its call centre receiving about 2,400 inquiries each day.
On a typical weekend, the call centre had received about 600 calls a day for testing. Last weekend, there were about 2,000 a day.
“A large portion of calls to our call centre are asymptomatic people seeking testing for social reasons,” Island Health said in a statement. “People should only call to book a COVID-19 test if it is recommended based on their symptoms and exposure history.”
Those who are concerned they have the virus are encouraged to complete an online self-assessment or call 811 for advice before seeking testing. The COVID testing call centre should be used only to book a test, the health authority stressed.
Island Health has been working since early last week to increase staffing at the call centre and is now bringing people in on overtime to meet the demand.
Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Victoria announced Thursday that when classes resume after the Christmas break on Jan. 10, the majority of instruction will be online until Jan. 24.
Meanwhile, Dr. Richard Stanwick, the region’s chief medical health officer, has agreed to postpone his retirement for a month to deal with the uncertainty over Omicron, the rise in cases and the increasing pressure on health services.
Stanwick, 72, was to retire on Dec. 31.
He plans to remain focused on the province’s dual public health emergencies: the drug-poisoning crisis and the Island’s COVID-19 response.
COVID TESTING
Island Health says people with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms — and those who think they may have been exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive and are experiencing symptoms — should do the following:
• Use the self-assessment tool online at bc.thrive.health to see if testing is recommended.
• If testing is recommended, phone Island Health’s call centre at 1-844-901-8442 (open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily) to get into the call-back queue.
• The call centre will call you back to book an appointment for testing.
