‘An unprecedented number’: Nearly 100 deaths on Vancouver Island through heat wave SHARE ON: Stock photo Almost a hundred people died on Vancouver Island during last week’s heat wave, more than doubling the usual average. From June 25th through July 1st, 2021, 97 deaths were reported to coroners in the Vancouver Island Health Authority. The historical average for the Island through that seven-day period, from 2016 to 2020, was around 41. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Coastal Health Region – which includes Powell River – saw 193 deaths. As of last Friday, total deaths climbed to 719 province-wide, chief coroner Lisa LaPointe noted. She says the ‘unprecedented’ number was three times more than what B.C. would normally see through that time period.