The scorching heat has caused two vaccination sites on Vancouver Island to temporarily shut down.
Island Health on Saturday announced on social media that their coronavirus immunization clinics at Eagle Ridge Community Centre Arena in Langford and the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena in Lake Cowichan have closed due to “extreme” heat.
The health authority did not provide further details about the closure, only saying that those who were forced to cancel their appointment due to the closure, will be rebooked as soon as possible.
“Island Health will ensure everyone with booked appointments is contacted to re-book as soon as possible,” the health authority said on Twitter.
Vancouver Island, along with the majority of the province, is currently dealing with an intense heatwave that is expected to last until at least Tuesday.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Eastern and Inland Vancouver Island stating that temperatures are expected to range from 29 to 38 degrees, with humidex values during this period will reach the high 30s to possibly the low 40s.
Meanwhile, on Friday, B.C. health officials announced that the number of doses of vaccine administered province-wide now stands at 4.6 million, with 1.1 million of those being second doses.
A total of 769,562 doses of vaccine have been administered on Vancouver Island, with 176,996 being second doses, according to the BCCDC’s website.
CHEK News has reached out to Island Health for further comment.
Due to extreme heat, the #COVID19 immunization clinics at Eagle Ridge Arena in #Langford and the #Cowichan Lake Sports Arena are closing for the day immediately. Island Health will ensure everyone with booked appointments is contacted to re-book as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/nyOj25P5KN
— Island Health (@VanIslandHealth) June 26, 2021
Nicholas Pescod
