COVID-19 update: B.C. adds 326 cases, 1 death as Omicron count rises
The B.C. government announced 326 new cases of COVID-19 and one related death on Tuesday, shortly after confirming several additional cases of the Omicron variant.
The update from the Ministry of Health caused the province's seven-day average for infections to decrease slightly to 346 per day, while the seven-day average for related deaths remained at about four per day.
The number of infectious COVID-19 patients in hospital, which reached a three-month low of 241 on Monday, increased by one. The number of those patients in intensive care fell to 82, down from 89.
Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that four more Omicron cases were identified over the weekend, bringing B.C.'s total to five.
All of the cases are related to international travel, and involve people between the ages of 18 and 60. Three cases were identified in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, and the other two were found in the Fraser Health region.
Henry said there are also a number of "suspect and pending" cases that are likely to be confirmed as Omicron soon.
"That is not a surprise," she added. "As we've said, once we start to look for it, it is likely that we are going to find it. We know this virus travels quickly and it travels in people and when people move the virus strains move with them."
Officials said they will be providing information on new Omicron cases in daily COVID-19 updates going forward, as well as at Henry and B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix's weekly briefings on Tuesdays.
While researchers are still working to confirm how Omicron's mutations impact transmissibility, severity of disease and possible vaccine resistance, Henry and Dix have both stressed that getting as many people as possible immunized against COVID-19 is a top priority. Decreasing the spread gives the virus fewer chances to mutate.
The unvaccinated still account for the majority of B.C.'s infections and related hospitalizations, despite representing a dwindling minority of the provincial population. They made up 54.7 per cent of all cases identified from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, and 59.3 per cent of hospitalizations between Nov. 22 and Dec. 5.
The unvaccinated only represent about 17 per cent of the province's overall population, including babies, toddlers and children under five who are too young for any of the approved vaccines.
As of Tuesday, 85.6 per cent of eligible B.C. residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 82 per cent have received two.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
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.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
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.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
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.