21 deaths included in latest B.C. COVID-19 update, highest single-day total in over a year
Twenty-one more COVID-19 related deaths were reported in B.C. on Wednesday, the highest single-day total the province has added to its death toll since December 2020.
The 21 deaths reported Wednesday come after just one was reported on Tuesday, but still push the province's rolling seven-day average for daily deaths to 10. The last time the rolling average was that high was in January 2021.
The Ministry of Health provided the latest numbers in a written statement Wednesday afternoon.
There are 949 test-positive COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals, a total that includes both those whose illness is severe enough to require hospitalization and those who test positive incidentally while admitted to hospital for other reasons.
There are 136 COVID-19 patients in intensive care units across the province.
The deaths reported Wednesday were spread across three health authorities, with 10 reported in Fraser Health, six in Vancouver Coastal Health and five in Island Health.
Over the course of the pandemic, many of the deaths in B.C. have been among residents of long-term care homes. Deaths associated with care home outbreaks during the Omicron wave have so far been significantly lower than during previous waves, though the latest data available only covers deaths through Jan. 18.
Wednesday's update included five new COVID-19 outbreaks in health-care facilities, including four in long-term care homes. Seven other outbreaks have been declared over, leaving B.C. with 61 active outbreaks in its health-care system.
The Health Ministry does not release the vaccination status of people who die from COVID-19 complications on a daily basis.
Data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control shows that, between Dec. 25 and Jan. 21, there were approximately 10.9 deaths per 100,000 unvaccinated B.C. residents, compared to 2.6 deaths per 100,000 residents with at least two doses of vaccine.
As of Wednesday, 89.7 per cent of eligible people ages five and older in B.C. had received at least a first dose of vaccine, and 83.6 per cent had received two shots.
Booster doses have been administered to 45.1 per cent of adults, or 42.2 per cent of people ages 12 and older.
Wednesday's update also included 2,086 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, but that figure is no longer considered representative of the true spread of the coronavirus in B.C., because the province has stopped testing for it in most situations.
On Tuesday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said B.C. is seeing "a gradual decline" in case rates and "a levelling off" of test positivity. But, she warned, hospitalizations remain near their highest point of the pandemic, and certain groups of people - particularly the elderly and immunocompromised - remain at greater risk of serious illness due to Omicron.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.