135 new Omicron cases in B.C.; five in Interior Health

There were 753 new COVID cases were detected over the past 24 hours in B.C. and three new deaths, according to B.C.’s Ministry of Health.

Among the new cases in the province, 99 were in Interior Health, which now has a total of 644 active cases, according to a ministry media release issued today, Dec. 16. 

The new Omicron variant accounted for 135 cases in B.C. and of those, five are in the Interior Health region.

None of the three deaths occurred in Interior Health. Across B.C., the COVID death toll is 2,396.

READ MORE: COVID daily case numbers drop to 69 in Interior Health

Fully vaccinated British Columbians accounted for the majority of new cases between Dec. 8 and 14 at 53.7%, but proportionately, there were five times as many new cases among unvaccinated British Columbians – out of every 100,000 citizens getting infected, 35.3 are vaccinated and 176.5 are not, the ministry said.

And the fully vaccinated only accounted for 29.8% of hospitalizations between Dec. 1 and 14.

The ministry reported the outbreak at Ponderosa Lodge in Kamloops is now over.


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Dan Walton

Before joining the ranks of InfoTel, Dan’s byline could be found in newspapers in Penticton, Peachland and Oliver. Prior to his arrival in the South Okanagan, he first sharpened his chops as a reporter at a radio station in Brighton, Ontario, and then newspapers in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, and Invermere B.C.
From quilting competitions to crimes against humanity, Dan isn’t afraid to cover any topic. Always seeking out the best angles - whether it’s through the lens of his camera or the voices of his Interviews – he delves into the conflict and seeks out the humanity in every story worth telling.
Dan is always happy to hear from readers. To get in touch for any reason he can be contacted at (250) 488-3065 or dwalton@infonews.ca.