7 day average triples in 12 days, as B.C. records 204 new cases of COVID-19

B.C. health officials announced 204 new cases of COVID-19but no additional deathson Thursday.

It's the highest number of new cases in a single day since June 5, with the province's seven-day rolling average tripling within the last 12 days, from 44 to 131.

In a written statement, the province said there are currently 1,055active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C., the first time since June 26 the number of active cases has been over 1,000.

The regional breakdown is as follows:

• 58 new cases in Fraser Health, which has 241 active cases.
• 23 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, which has 139 active cases.
• 107new cases in Interior Health, which has 600 active cases.
• Twonew cases in Northern Health, which has 19 active cases.
• 14 new cases in Island Health, which has 51 active cases.
• No new cases of a person who typically resides outside of Canada; a group that has five active cases.

A total of 51 people are in hospital, with 20in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are down slightly from last Thursday, when 53people were in hospital with the disease.

The number of patients in intensive care is up 33 per cent from 15a week ago.

The provincialdeath toll from the disease is1,771. There have beena total of 149,648 cases in the province.

So far, 81per cent(3,753,057) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 64.1 per cent(2,971,793) have received their second dose.

Okanagan outbreak

On Wednesday, the province declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the Central Okanaganafter a rapid rise in cases in the region.

More than half of B.C.'sdaily and activeCOVID-19 cases are concentrated in the area,Provincial Health OfficerDr. Bonnie Henry said.

Under the new health order, masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces for anyone over the age of 12 and are alsobeing encouragedoutdoors when people cannot physically distance themselves.

Travelto and from the region,which includes Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country, is also being strongly discouraged unless individualsare fully immunized.

In the last week, anumber of businesses in the Central Okanagan have been forced to close because of illness. Health officialssayenforcement will be stepped up at establishments where three or more cases of COVID-19 have occurred.

Henry made reference Thursday to Alberta's new relaxedCOVID-19 protocols which will start to come into effectover the nextfew weeks. The protocols are some of the most lenient in the nation. For example, starting Aug.16, people in Alberta who test positive for the virus will not be mandated to isolate at that time.

"We're happy to have you come, fully vaccinated," Henry said to Albertans planning to visit B.C. "When you are here, we expect that everybody takes the measures we are continuing to take in British Columbia to protect people both from wildfires, from the smokeand from COVID-19."

In an effort to increase immunization rates in B.C., officials also announced a vaccination blitzcalled "Walk-In Wednesday" that will take place on Aug. 4. The provincesaid20,000 doses will be available at clinics, with no appointment necessary.