B.C. likely hit COVID-19 transmission peak last weekend, officials say, revealing latest data
The latest COVID-19 wave may be on a downward trajectory in B.C., health officials announced Friday.
Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix shared the latest modelling data in a morning news conference, revealing they believe the local peak of infections was likely hit last weekend. Daily cases reached record-breaking levels recently, largely due to how transmissible the Omicron variant is.
COVID-19 case data in the latest wave hasn't painted a full picture of how many people are infected with the disease as B.C. has struggled with its testing capacity. The more reliable PCR tests are being reserved for people who are more at risk for developing serious illness, unvaccinated or doing front-line work. Rapid tests, however, are still difficult for most people to access.
As a result, officials said Friday that PCR testing – and therefore reported case counts – just represents a subset of the community, but that it's a high-risk subset with high test-positivity rates. Officials said those positive PCR results are declining, adding that the specific case numbers aren't as important as the overall trajectory.
Officials suggested that transmission is still likely three to four times the numbers reported daily.
"We've been at the capacity of our PCR tests for a number of weeks now," Henry said.
"But it does give us a sense because we've been monitoring PCR testing over time, it does reflect the change and the patterns over time."Modelling data released by B.C. health officials on Jan. 14, 2022.
Additional data shared by health officials showed the Lower Mainland's case trajectory is similar to other urban centres where Omicron has become dominant, with the latest wave lasting just a few weeks before starting that downward trend.
"We can now say with some confidence that the pattern shows a sustained decrease and that pattern reflects what we're seeing in other jurisdictions," Henry said.
That B.C. may have reached its peak in this wave so quickly isn't a huge surprise, officials said, explaining the Omicron variant has shown to have both a shorter incubation period and a shorter illness duration.
Modelling data released by B.C. health officials on Jan. 14, 2022. Another way health officials have tracked the trend in local cases is through wastewater testing. Screening of wastewater at five Metro Vancouver plants shows detection of the virus is trending downward.
Throughout the pandemic, wastewater has been used as an early warning signal for COVID-19 in a community and fill the gaps when testing is over capacity.
"When we look at wastewater surveillance, it's not dependent on who gets tested," Henry explained. "It really is a barometer of how much virus is in a community."
Henry said that surveillance suggests a peak in the virus at around the first week of January, which she said "is very similar" to PCR testing data.
Modelling data released by B.C. health officials on Jan. 14, 2022. But even with cases declining, the same can't be said for hospitalizations.
"We are still at the point where our hospitalization rate is going up," Henry said. "New hospitalizations (are) still a concern."
Officials explained those rates tend to be delayed compared to infections and that it could be about a week or two before there's a decrease in those numbers.
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.
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.
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.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
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.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
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.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.