COVID-19 in B.C.: 13 more deaths, hospitalizations near record
B.C. added 13 more fatalities to its COVID-19 death toll on Thursday, as hospitalizations rose to near record highs.
There were 977 test-positive patients in hospital Thursday, up from 949 the previous day, and just shy of the all-time record of 987.
That total includes both patients whose illness is serious enough to require hospitalization and those who test positive incidentally while admitted to hospital for some other reason.
There were 141 COVID-19 patients in intensive care in B.C. on Thursday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health.
The 13 deaths on Thursday follow 21 that were reported Wednesday. The total death toll in B.C. since the pandemic began now stands at 2,588.
The province's rolling seven-day average for deaths now stands at 9.7, a slight decrease from Wednesday, but still well above where it was at the start of the month, when B.C. was averaging just 1.3 deaths per day.
Seven of the latest deaths were recorded in the Fraser Health region, four were in Vancouver Coastal Health, and the Interior and Island health authorities saw one death each.
The ministry doesn't release the vaccination status of people who die from COVID-19 complications on a daily basis.
The latest data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control indicates that unvaccinated people accounted for 31 per cent of the 130 deaths recorded in the province between Dec. 25 and Jan. 21. The unvaccinated account for just 14 per cent of the province's total population.
The ministry's daily update also doesn't indicate whether deaths are associated with outbreaks in long-term care homes in the province. So far, data released by the BCCDC has shown notably fewer deaths associated with declared outbreaks during the Omicron wave than during previous ones, though the most recent data only covers deaths through Jan. 18.
Two more outbreaks of COVID-19 in B.C. health-care facilities have been declared since Wednesday's update, and one has been declared over, leaving the province with 62 ongoing outbreaks as of Thursday.
The ministry's latest update also included 2,033 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province. This number is no longer considered a reliable indication of how the coronavirus is spreading in B.C., however, since the province no longer recommends testing for most people with symptoms.
As of Thursday, 89.7 per cent of eligible people ages five and older have received at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 83.7 per cent have received two doses.
Booster shots have been administered to 43 per cent of people 12 and older, or 46 per cent of adults.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.