There were 50 new active cases of COVID-19 in the North Shore-Coast Garibaldi health region, as of Aug. 20.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control now releases regional stats on diagnoses of the virus every two weeks. Much like the rest of the province, the North Shore region has seen its caseload spike, in this case, almost double the previous reporting period.

Since the pandemic began, there have been 338 confirmed cases in the region, which includes includes North and West Vancouver, Whistler, Squamish and the Sea to Sky corridor plus the Sunshine Coast and Powell River.

To take pressure off the Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Lower Lonsdale, Vancouver Coastal Health announced this week that a new pop-up COVID-19 testing centre would be brought online in North Vancouver “in the next couple weeks,” as cases and demand for tests rise.

Unlike the earlier days of the pandemic, the demographic with the fast spread of infections is in young people ages 20 to 39, who make up 56 per cent of all new cases. VCH data shows the median age of those who test positive for COVID-19 has now dropped from 57 years old in Phase 1 to 34 years old in Phase 3.

That was partly expected as people returned to work, especially in the hospitality industry. But the VCH’s chief medical health officer is warning that parties are now the biggest concern for the virus’s spread.

“We’re seeing transmission take place in nightclubs in particular, but also at bars and restaurants, while boating and in other indoor social settings,” said Dr. Patricia Daly. “It’s the way people act and interact in these settings that’s problematic: sharing food and drinks, speaking loudly and in close proximity if there’s background noise, and not social distancing among strangers, especially if they’ve been drinking alcohol. When people aren’t taking measures to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 in these settings, it means more potential risk to the public.”

In response, the health authority has launched a social media campaign targeting young people, urging them to follow public health guidelines. The campaign includes tips for visiting restaurants, getting together with friends, playing recreational sports, going on road trips, going to the beach, and COVID-safe sex.

“We want people to get out and enjoy summer with their friends, but we can’t forget that COVID-19 is still in our communities,” said Daly.