B.C. reports 696 cases of COVID-19, 6 deaths
Another 696 cases of COVID-19 and six related deaths have been reported in British Columbia, as officials prepare to relax venue capacity limits in much of the province.
Wednesday's update from the Ministry of Health pushed B.C.'s seven-day average for new infections to 621 per day, up from 608 on Tuesday.
The seven-day average for COVID-19 deaths increased back to 8.43 per day, where it stood on Monday. Prior to that, the average hadn't been that high since Feb. 3.
Five of the deceased lived in the Fraser Health region, and the sixth lived in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.
"Our condolences are with the families, friends and caregivers of those who have died as a result of COVID-19," Health Minister Adrian Dix said on Twitter.
Once again, Northern Health saw the highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita, with 67.2 per 100,000 population. Interior Health had the second highest with 14.2 per 100,000, followed by Fraser Health with 13.2 per 100,000.
Island Health and Vancouver Coastal Health had 6.9 and 6.4 per 100,000, respectively.
On Tuesday, health officials announced that capacity limits for organized events – including major sporting and arts events – are being lifted as of Oct. 25. Attendees at such events will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination under the province's vaccine card system as of Oct. 24.
The limits will remain in place in areas that are still under regional capacity restrictions, including Fraser East and parts of the Northern Health and Interior Health regions.
The number of infectious COVID-19 patients in hospital decreased to 370 Wednesday, including 139 in intensive care. The unvaccinated continue to make up the majority of cases and hospitalizations, despite representing less than 20 per cent of all B.C. residents, including those too young to be eligible for the approved vaccines.
According to the Ministry of Health, the unvaccinated were infected at a rate of 294.3 cases per 100,000 population between Oct. 12 and 18 after adjusting for age. The fully vaccinated were infected at a rate of 32.1 per 100,000.
Likewise, the unvaccinated were hospitalized at a rate of 54.1 patients per 100,000 population between Oct. 5 and 8 after adjusting for age, compared to 2.6 per 100,000 among the fully vaccinated.
So far, 89.3 per cent of eligible British Columbians have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 83.6 per cent have received two.
Officials also announced one new health-care facility outbreak, at the Swedish Assisted Living Residences in Burnaby. There are now 24 active outbreaks across B.C.'s health-care system.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.