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New COVID-19 cases for Kootenay Boundary continues to decrease

Lone Sheep Publishing
By Lone Sheep Publishing
May 20th, 2021

According to the Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence map updated Wednesday on the B.C. Centre of Disease Control website, COVID-19 cases in the Kootenay Boundary region continue to decrease.

The update graphic, from May 9-15, 2021, shows new cases spiralling downward in most health districts.

The Local Health Area of Case Residence map shows Fernie with the highest number of cases at 11.

Castlegar with six has the next highest number of COVID-19 cases, followed by Nelson with five and Cranbrook and Trail with four.

Golden has three COVID-19 cases while Arrow Lakes and Kootenay Lake are reporting two COVID-19 cases.

Grand Forks in the Boundary Region has one COVID-19 case. Kimberley, Creston and Kettle Valley in the Boundary region each reported zero cases.

Wednesday COVID report sees 521 new cases

Wednesday, BC reported  521 new cases, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 140,596 cases in British Columbia.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer said there are 4,815 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and a further 133,985 people who tested positive have recovered.

Of the active cases, 340 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 118 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

"Since we last reported, we have had 77 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 335 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 18 in the Island Health region, 62 in the Interior Health region, 29 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada,” Dr. Henry said.

Dr. Henry said there have been eight new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,658 deaths in British Columbia. Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19.

Dr. Henry said on the vaccine front, there have been 2,623,907 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 135,246 of which are second doses.

"Getting everyone in our province immunized is our pathway forward through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Henry said.

“This will ensure we have enough protection and community immunity to allow us to slowly lift public health and travel restrictions. Today, young people 12 to 17 years old may register to receive their vaccine, with more details to come tomorrow.

Dr. Henry said for anyone immunized before April 15, prior to our online system launching, our immunization system has your vaccine information, but may not have your contact information.

“This is why it is important for everyone to register – to simplify notification for your second dose booking when it is your turn,” Dr. Henry said.

RCMP will be setting up rotating road checks at four locations throughout the province. — RCMP photo

RCMP step up travel restrictions enforcement for May longweekend

RCMP said Wednesday, that police would like to remind the public that restrictions on non-essential travel are still in place and advise everyone that roads checks will be increased this May long weekend.

Over the past two weeks police have established rotating checks at four locations. While overall traffic volume has been less than normal levels, we did see an increase in traffic this past weekend, explains Superintendent Holly Turton, Officer in Charge, BC Highway Patrol.

From May 6-8 a total of 1,412 vehicles were checked, and there was one voluntary turn around. From May 14-16 a total of 2,069 vehicles were checked and 30 vehicles voluntarily turned around.

While the public has been supportive of our officers at the checks, we know that more people are typically on our roads and highways on long weekends. We would like all travelers to know that we will be increasing the number and duration of the road checks leading up to, and through this long weekend, says Supt. Turton.

Road Checks will remain at the four established locations:

  • Highway 1 in the Boston Bar area
  • Highway 3 in the Manning Park area
  • Highway 5 in the Old Toll Booth area
  • Highway 99 in the Lillooet area

RCMP said drivers are reminded that they should not be travelling between the three established regions of Vancouver/Fraser Valley, Northern/Interior, Vancouver Island unless for essential purposes.

"We encourage everyone to avoid non-essential travel at this time. For more information regarding provincial enforcement please visit the BC Government COVID-19 information pages," RCMP said.

Canada-US Border remains closed to non-essential traffic

Tuesday, it was learned that the Canada—US border will not be re-opening anytime soon, and will remain closed to non-essential traffic for at least another month.

Non-essential travel restrictions have been in place between the two countries since March 21, 2020. The provision exempts the flow of trade and commerce, as well as vital health-care workers such as nurses who live and work on opposite sides of the border.

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