While the exact figures are questionable, the latest numbers from the BC Centre for Disease Control show a small decline in new COVID-19 cases.
From Jan. 16 to 22, there were 15 new cases in Grand Forks, down from 23 the previous reporting period, and four in Kettle Valley, up from one, for a total of 19.
However, the actual totals are believed to be much higher, as testing has reached its capacity.
Region-wide there were 466 new COVID-19 cases, down from 496 the week before, suggesting the Omicron wave has peaked.
Most other areas held steady or saw declines with the exception of Creston, whose new cases more than doubled from the week before, increasing from 27 to 59.
Nelson still had the most cases with 204, although that was down from 232 the previous reporting period. Trail stood at 103 (down from 138), Castlegar had 70 (down from 69), Arrow Lakes had nine (up from three), and Kootenay Lake had two (up from three).
Since the pandemic began, there have been 3,284 confirmed cases in our region, led by Nelson with 974, and followed by Trail (676), Creston (456), Castlegar (417), Grand Forks (357), Kettle Valley (201), Arrow Lakes (143), and Kootenay Lake (60).