BCCDC data shows COVID-19 cases dropping in Central, South Okanagan

The latest detailed breakdown of COVID-19 cases in the Interior Health region shows a drop in Central Okanagan cases but increases in Kamloops and Vernon along with numerous smaller towns.

For the week of Dec. 22 to Jan. 2, there were 448 new cases of COVID-19 in the region up from 405 the week before.

The cases in the Central Okanagan, which has usually accounted for more than half of the cases in the region, dropped to 139 from 214.

Kamloops numbers jumped to 68 from 27 while Vernon climbed to 76 from 48. Penticton, like the Central Okanagan, dropped to 15 from 31.

Many smaller communities saw significant changes in the number of new COVID-19 cases.

READ MORE: COVID-19 restrictions extended to Feb. 5 in B.C. to 'hold the line'

Golden recorded 14 new cases after having zero for most weeks in the past month. 100 Mile House, the Cariboo/Chilcotin region and Lillooet all recorded eight cases after each having only two or three the week before.

While the graph below — which includes cases up to Jan. 6 — shows a general levelling off of cases in B.C., provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported higher numbers yesterday, Jan. 7, and extended restrictions on social gatherings until Feb. 5.

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