B.C. reports 13 COVID-19 deaths, another jump in hospitalizations
The B.C. government has announced 13 more deaths related to COVID-19, along with another jump in test-positive patients in hospital.
Wednesday's update from the Ministry of Health continues the trends of increasing fatalities and hospitalizations that have been recorded in the province for weeks.
B.C.'s seven-day average for coronavirus-related deaths has now reached 7.14 per day, which is the highest it's been since Nov. 16. The average was holding steady at around 1.29 per day at the beginning of the year.
Six of the deaths were recorded in the Fraser Health region, four were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, two were in the Island Health region and one was in the Interior Health region.
Meanwhile, the number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 has increased to 895, up from 854 on Tuesday. That includes 115 patients in intensive care.
Overall hospitalization numbers are now considered an "overestimate" of COVID-19's immediate impact on the health-care system, as the province switched to a new system of reporting that includes all so-called incidental cases – people who were in hospital for reasons unrelated to the virus but tested positive during routine screening.
Officials have said approximately 45 per cent of COVID-19 hospitalizations are likely incidental, based on a case study conducted in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.
All cases involving patients still put additional strain on hospital resources, however, and can spread to doctors and nurses, forcing them off the job and exacerbating staffing shortages.
The Ministry of Health also announced five more outbreaks in care homes and acute care facilities, at Joseph Creek Care Village, Eagle Ridge Manor, Sidney All Care, Sunrise of Victoria and Comox Valley Seniors Village. Two others were declared over, leaving 56 active outbreaks across B.C.'s health-care system – most at long-term care homes.
It's possible the recent resurgence in outbreaks is connected to the surge in COVID-19 deaths – provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry noted this week that people over the age of 70 remain at higher risk of severe outcomes than the general population, even if they are vaccinated. That's partly because people's immune systems become less responsive as they age, Henry said.
Officials still recommend vaccination for all eligible age groups, as it has shown to drastically reduce the chance of hospitalization, intensive care admission, and death.
Another 2,387 cases of COVID-19 were announced Wednesday as well, though daily infection numbers are not currently believed to accurately capture transmission in the province. Because testing capacity has been stretched to its limits during the Omicron wave, officials have started recommending that young, healthy people who experience mild symptoms forego testing and begin self-isolation instead.
Officials have said they believe B.C.'s COVID-19 transmission has already peaked and started to decrease, however, pointing to ongoing monitoring of the virus in wastewater.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.