B.C.'s 7-day average for new COVID-19 cases back above 600 per day with latest update
Five people died of COVID-19 in the 24-hour period summarized in the latest update from B.C. health officials.
In a written statement, the Ministry of Health said another 560 cases were confirmed in the last day.
The latest numbers pushed the province's seven-day average for new cases back above 600 per day.
Of the 198,939 cases B.C. has recorded since the start of the pandemic, just under 5,000 are still considered active.
There are 146 patients being treated in intensive care out of 382 total hospitalizations.
As is often the case, the largest number of people recently confirmed to have COVID-19 are living in B.C.'s most populous health authority, Fraser Health.
Northern Health, the authority that continues to have the province's highest per-capita rate, added 131 cases in the latest update.
Another 80 were noted in Vancouver Coastal Health, 79 in B.C.'s Interior and 61 in Island Health.
Of the latest deaths, two people were in Fraser, two were in Northern, and one was on Vancouver Island.
Tuesday's update followed the news that 26 people had died of COVID-19 over the weekend. That total brought the province's seven-day average for deaths up to 8.43 per cent, the highest it's been since early February.
Once again, the government's statistics indicated the majority of B.C.'s cases and hospitalizations involved people who are either unvaccinated against COVID-19 or only partially vaccinated.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said on Twitter 88 per cent of those in critical care due to COVID-19 Monday weren't fully vaccinated.
Officials aren't giving this information daily, but he posted Tuesday that of the hospitalizations between Oct. 11 and Oct. 17, 75.5 per cent were not fully vaccinated.
Looking at cases over a two-week period, Oct. 4 to 17, Dix said 67.1 per cent were in people who hadn't had both shots.
On Tuesday, the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 reached a high not seen since mid-May.
And while those not fully vaccinated make up a large portion, the number of people who have had two doses appears to be climbing as well. But experts say to understand what the numbers actually mean, you have to look at more than just the list.
Read more from Monday's coverage on a "skewed" version of reality, addressing questions about whether the vaccine is working. Essentially, the fully vaccinated now make up a vastly higher percentage of the population.
The most recent information available is that 89.2 per cent of all eligible British Columbians have had at least one dose of vaccine, and 83.5 per cent, more than 3.87 million people, have had both.
As the numbers change, so too do provincial restrictions.
Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry announced Tuesday that capacity limits for event venues will soon be lifted. The doctor said this is the next phase of B.C.'s vaccine passport system.
Also announced Tuesday is that the number of young children catching COVID-19 has decreased significantly in the second month of the school year. Still, Dr. Henry cautioned, children between the ages of five and 11 are being infected at a higher rate than other age groups in the province.
Tuesday's update also included one new outbreak in a health-care facility to the 23 currently considered active. Elim Village is dealing with its sixth of the pandemic, this time at a building on its Surrey campus known as The Emerald.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.
'Terrifying': Manitoba resident speaks on wildfire and evacuation
As a pair of wildfires burn near Flin Flon and The Pas, a number of Manitobans are being told to evacuate their homes.
Ontario's need for nurses, PSWs to top 33K and 50K by 2032: document
Ontario will need 33,200 more nurses and 50,853 more personal support workers by 2032, the government projects — figures it tried to keep secret but were obtained by The Canadian Press.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
No concert ticket? No problem — Swifties can still gather at 'Taylgate' in Toronto
Whether you were lucky to nab tickets to one of Taylor Swift's six sold-out Toronto concerts in November or not, a new 'fan experience' hopes to get you into the party spirit.