20 COVID-19 deaths recorded over the weekend in B.C., latest update says
Twenty more people have died of COVID-19 in a 72-hour period in B.C.
During the same three days, another 1,618 cases of the disease were confirmed.
This brings the rolling seven-day case count average down to 605 per day, from 638 on Friday.
The new numbers came in a written updated provided Monday by the Ministry of Health.
There were 613 cases identified between Friday and Saturday, followed by 529 between Saturday and Sunday, and 476 between Sunday and Monday.
Another 1,730 people recovered from COVID-19 over the weekend as well, pushing the number of active cases to 4,966, down from 5,106 on Friday.
Of the active cases, 366 people are in hospital and 149 are in intensive care. The remaining people are at home recovering in self-isolation.
The 20 deaths were spread out over B.C.’s five health authorities. Four people died in Fraser Health, three died in Vancouver Coastal Health, six died in Interior Health, four died in Northern Health and three died in Island Health.
The latest numbers on vaccines show that more and more B.C. residents are getting vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Monday, 90 per cent of eligible adults have received their first dose, and 85 per cent have received their second. Province-wide, among people 12 and older, 89.6 per cent have received at least one dose – up from 89.4 per cent on Friday – and 84.4 per cent have received two doses - up from 83.9 per cent on Friday.
B.C. health officials also confirmed that there have were five new COVID-19 outbreaks at health-care facilities recorded over the weekend. Four outbreaks – at Chilliwack General Hospital, Valleyhaven Retirement Community, Harrison Pointe, and Norman Manor – are in Fraser Health and one outbreak, at Amica Edgemont retirement home, is in Vancouver Coastal Health.
The outbreak at Tofino General Hospital, located in the Island Health authority, has been declared over. This, combined with previously reported outbreaks, means there’s a total of 29 active outbreaks in health-care settings.
Much of B.C.’s Northern Health region is currently under stricter COVID-19 health measures than the rest of the province, in order to address the high rates of transmission seen in that area. Over the weekend’s three-day reporting period there were 289 new cases recorded in the north. The only health authority that saw a higher number of new cases is Fraser Health, which say 699 new case. But per capita, Northern Health’s case rate is higher – the health authority recorded 101.6 cases per 100,000 population over the weekend, compared to 36.6 per 100,000 in Fraser Health.
Meanwhile, there were 190 new cases recorded in Vancouver Coastal Health, 254 new cases in Interior Health and 186 new cases in Island Health. No new cases among people who normally reside outside of Canada were recorded, but there are still 59 active cases among this group.
Monday's update comes as vaccine rules in the province increase. As of Sunday, proof of vaccination to access many non-essential businesses in the province requires two doses, not just one. As well, health-care workers must show proof they're vaccinated by Tuesday or face consequences.
But with those additional rules, some restrictions are easing. As of Monday, capacity limits at many venues in the province where no regional restrictions are in place have lifted.
On Friday, B.C.'s case average was the second highest of any province or territory in Canada, behind Alberta.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.