(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

Of the 45 COVID-19 deaths recorded across B.C. over the New Year's long weekend, four were within the Interior Health.

“We are saddened to report four additional deaths related to COVID-19 in Interior Health over the weekend," Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health said in an email sent today, Jan. 4.

One of these deaths was at McKinney Place in Oliver, another at Heritage Square in Vernon and two deaths in were in the "community/hospital."

"We know this is especially hard for the families and caregivers and I want to offer our condolences during this difficult time. As we start 2021, there is much to be hopeful for with the vaccination roll-out underway, but we all must remember to keep following public health guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” Brown said.

There were 288 new cases in the region since Dec. 31, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control. Interior Health said that the total since the start of the pandemic is now 4,178.

Of these, 767 cases are active and in isolation. There are currently 39 people are in hospital; six of them in ICU.

Of all the outbreaks within the Thompson Okanagan, Creekside Landing long-term care in Vernon has four cases, two residents and two staff. Noric House long-term care in Vernon has nine cases, eight residents and one staff member. Heritage Square long-term care in Vernon has 30 cases: 20 residents and 10 staff, with one death connected to this outbreak.

In West Kelowna, Heritage Retirement Residence has 40 cases, 35 are residents and five staff. There has been one death connected to this outbreak.

Mountainview Village long-term care in Kelowna remains at 16 cases, eight residents and eight staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak.

Teck mining operations remains at 16 cases linked to the outbreak.

McKinney Place long-term care in Oliver remains at 75 cases, 54 residents and 21 staff, with 13 deaths connected to this outbreak.

Village by the Station long-term care in Penticton has nine cases: five residents and four staff, with one death connected to this outbreak.

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