TERRACE, B.C. -- The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is reporting another week of high COVID-19 case counts in the Bulkley-Nechako region.
From September 12th to 18th, 74 new cases of the virus were reported in Smithers. That's down from 117 new cases in the previous week
Meanwhile, Nechako saw 69 new cases last week while Burns Lake saw 15
Upper Skeena recorded 17 new cases, up from 5 in the previous week.
Closer to the coast, per capita rate of new cases are mostly lower.
There were 23 new cases in Terrace last week, 12 in Kitimat, six in Prince Rupert and three in Nisga'a.
In all four of these regions, there's been a moderate increase in cases from last week.
Haida Gwaii and the Snow Country - Stikine - Telegraph Creek aggregate reported no new cases.
88 per cent of British Columbians have received at least one vaccine dose, while 81 per cent are fully vaccinated.
But in the North, many Northwest regions continue to lag behind the provincial averages.
Kitimat continues to have the second-highest first-dose vaccination rate, with 96 per cent of eligible resident having received at least one shot, while 81 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Haida Gwaii is close behind, at 88 per cent for first dose and 80 for second doses.
Prince Rupert and Nisga'a both have first dose rates of 86 per cent and second dose rates of 75 per cent.
Moving inland, 85 per cent of people in the far north have had their first shot and 73 per cent have had their second.
For Terrace and Upper Skeena, around four-fifths of residents have had at least one dose, while 71 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Further east, vaccination rates dip.
74 per cent of eligible Smithers residents and 72 per cent of Burns Lake residents have had their first shot
Both areas have second dose rates of 64 per cent.
Vaccination rates remain notably low in Nechako -- 69 per cent for first doses and 59 per cent for second doses.
