Southern Interior sees drop in weekly COVID cases, increase in vaccination rate

The Southern Okanagan saw a universal decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases across the week of Aug. 29 to Sept. 4.

With the exception of Penticton, which remained at 69 weekly cases, all other communities in the region saw a decline.

Keremeos and Summerland were the only region to fall below the 20 cases per 100,000 population mark this week: Keremeos from 10 to six cases and Summerland down to eight from 11.

Oliver, Okanagan Falls and Osoyoos regions fell nearly 20 cases across the week, from 53 to 34.

Both the Central Okanagan (Peachland, West Kelowna and Kelowna) and Vernon saw the largest decrease in weekly cases. The Central Okanagan saw 478 cases compared to 511 last week, with Vernon seeing even less down nearly 100, from 263 last week to 169 this week.

READ MORE: B.C. records 774 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, 5 deaths

As of Sept. 7, the South Okanagan leads those regions in first-dose vaccination rates, with an 86 per cent rate in anyone 18 and older and an 85 per cent rate in 12 and older.

Penticton and Summerland are close behind at 83 per cent first-dose rate in 12 and up, with Summerland at 84 per cent and Penticton at 83 per cent rates in the 18 and up group.

Keremeos is lagging behind with a 79 per cent first dose rate in 18 and older and 78 per cent in 12 and older.

Summerland leads the region in second-dose rate at 77 per cent in 12 and up, with Southern Okanagan and Penticton trailing close behind at 76 per cent.

Central Okanagan has a 73 per cent second-dose rate while Keremeos only has a 69 per cent rate.

Province-wide, unvaccinated patients makeup 78.6 per cent of all COVID cases as of Sept. 9 and are 34 times more likely to be hospitalized than someone who is vaccinated.

READ MORE: Vaccine Politics: Will COVID-19 affect the outcome of the federal election in B.C.?

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