FILE PHOTO - Kelowna General Hospital

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

Just as one COVID-19 outbreak came to an end at Kelowna General Hospital, another was reported shortly afterwards.

A total of 14 cases were recorded during the outbreak at the hospital’s surgical unit, 3W, before it ended. The new outbreak in the rehab unit has eight cases, according to an email from Interior Health.

The outbreak in 3W was first declared Jan. 11. The second was announced Jan. 28 by the health authority. 

Interior Health said it would follow up on the question of whether the two outbreaks are connected.

There are currently four other COVID-19 outbreaks in the Central Okanagan, all in long-term care homes, including Lakeview Lodge, Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna, Cottonwoods and Glenmore Lodge.

In the North Okanagan, there are three outbreaks, at assisted living facility Heritage Square Facility, long-term care facility Noric House in Vernon and long-term care facility Monashee Mews in Lumby.

There are four COVID-19 outbreaks in the South Okanagan, at Village by the Station in Penticton, Dr. Andrew Pavillion in Summerland, Mariposa Gardens in Osoyoos and McKinney Place in Oliver.

The Thompson Nicola region has two outbreaks in long-term care facilities at the Pinegrove Care Center in Kamloops and Gillis House in Merritt.

Interior Health posts updates on COVID-19 outbreaks through its website.

The vaccination rate for people over the age of 12 in B.C. is recorded at 92.7% with at least one dose and at 90% for those with at least two doses. Those with three doses reached 43.9% yesterday, Jan. 28.

During a press conference earlier this week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said she hoped the number of COVID-19 cases in hospitals have peaked.

“There is a strain on our hospitals. We don’t expect the census (total number of COVID cases in hospital) to drop for some time. We’re also at the point where much in the community has changed because we have a level of immunity because we’ve stepped forward for our booster doses,” she said.

READ MORE: Easing of COVID restrictions in B.C. may begin after Family Day long weekend

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