COVID-19 in B.C.: Seven-day average declines again as province adds 324 cases, 7 deaths
B.C. has added 324 additional cases of COVID-19 to its total over the last 24 hours, as well as seven related deaths.
The latest numbers brought the rolling seven-day average for new cases down to 418, the lowest it's been since Aug. 11.
As of Wednesday, there are 379 infectious patients in hospital with COVID-19, 109 of them in intensive care units.
The rest of B.C.'s 3,380 active cases of COVID-19 are in people who are recovering at home.
The latest infections were spread throughout the province, with the largest number recorded in Fraser Health, but the highest per-capita total in Northern Health. Here's how the latest cases broke down:
- Fraser Health: 108 new cases, 5.6 per 100,000 population
- Vancouver Coastal Health: 60 new cases, 4.8 per 100,000
- Interior Health: 50 new cases, 6.1 per 100,000
- Northern Health: 73 new cases, 24.3 per 100,000
- Island Health: 33 new cases, 3.8 per 100,000
Two of the newly reported deaths on Wednesday were in Fraser Health, two were in Vancouver Coastal Health, two were in Northern Health and one was in Island Health.
There have been no new outbreaks in health-care facilities, but an outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at an elementary school in Interior Health, according to a statement from the provincial Ministry of Health.
M.V. Beattie Elementary School in Enderby is the latest school in the region to see an outbreak.
Most of the people contracting COVID-19 in B.C. have not been vaccinated. Despite making up less than 20 per cent of the province's entire population - including those under age 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccination - the unvaccinated accounted for 56 per cent of cases recorded in the province from Nov. 9 to 15.
Similarly, the unvaccinated accounted for 64 per cent of new hospitalizations during the two weeks from Nov. 2 to 15.
As of Wednesday, 90.7 per cent of B.C. residents ages 12 and older had received at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 86.9 per cent had received both shots.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Northern B.C., Alberta and all of Ontario under 'high' to 'extreme' wildfire risk: What to know
There's a heightened risk of wildfires across the country during what has been one of the earliest fire seasons on record. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, here's where the risk is highest.

'Tragedies occur far too often': Canada Safety Council shares swimming safety tips
With the summer swimming season fast approaching, the Canada Safety Council is reminding people to be careful and take measures to prevent drowning, especially after three children died just days apart.
Provinces must seek anti-smoking measures in Big Tobacco settlement: health groups
Three national health organizations want Canada's premiers to push for initiatives to reduce smoking during settlement negotiations with major tobacco companies, years after provinces sued to recoup health-care costs.
WATCH | Dashcam video shows out-of-control Nova Scotia wildfire
Dashcam footage shows the extent of the Tantallon wildfire as it raged in Hammonds Plains, N.S.
Body of 12-year-old Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls found
The body of a 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found.
Giraffe at Calgary zoo died from a broken neck, investigation reveals
Officials with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo have released more information about the death of Emara, a 12-year-old Masai giraffe, earlier this month.
Halifax-area wildfire still out of control, 'many' structures destroyed
Officials say a wildfire that began in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area Sunday afternoon is ongoing and still not under control.
OBITUARY | Quebec actor Michel Cote, known for film and theatre roles, dead at 72
Quebec actor Michel Cote, who captivated audiences with his roles in the theatre piece 'Broue' and films such as 'Cruising Bar' and C.R.A.Z.Y.,' has died at 72.
Albertans head to polls in what's expected to be very close election between UCP, NDP
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.