COVID-19 in B.C.: 368 test positive, 5 more deaths announced
Another 368 COVID-19 infections have been recorded in B.C., the province's health ministry announced Thursday.
The update, released in a written statement, also announced five more coronavirus-related deaths.
Thursday's update brought B.C. back over 3,000 active cases of COVID-19, with 3,020. Earlier this week, the province's active caseload dropped below 3,000 for the first time in three months.
Though active cases were up, the rolling seven-day average for new cases dropped slightly on Thursday, to 345 from 353.
There are 284 infectious COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals, including 97 who are in intensive care units.
The latest numbers were released as Canada's federal and provincial governments brace for the impact of the concerning new Omicron variant, which has already appeared in several provinces, including B.C.
Experts have noted the variant has an alarmingly high number of mutations, though it remains unclear how they will affect transmissibility, severity of illness and possible vaccine resistance.
As of Thursday, 85 per cent of eligible people ages five and older in B.C. had received at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 81.8 per cent had received their second dose.
The vast majority of those who have been vaccinated are over age 12. The province just started administering vaccines to those between the ages of five and 11 on Monday.
Among those 12 and older, 91.2 per cent of B.C. residents have received at least one dose, and 87.9 per cent have received two shots. Approximately 10 per cent - some 452,593 people - have received a third dose.
Vaccinated people continue to be significantly less likely than unvaccinated people to contract COVID-19 and to be hospitalized in B.C.
Those who have not received any vaccine doses account for less than 20 per cent of the total population in B.C., but made up more than half (54 per cent) of new cases recorded from Nov. 24 to 30.
Likewise, unvaccinated people accounted for 64.5 per cent of new hospitalizations between Nov. 17 and 30, according to the ministry.
The largest share of Thursday's cases was found in the Interior Health region, where 101 new infections were recorded.
Fraser Health added 90 cases, Island Health 88, Vancouver Coastal Health 48 and Northern Health 40.
Three of the five deaths recorded Thursday were in Fraser Health, while the other two were in Northern Health.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.