COVID-19 update: B.C. announces 10 deaths, 759 new cases
B.C. has recorded another 759 cases of COVID-19 and 10 related deaths, health officials said Wednesday.
The update, provided in a written statement from the Ministry of Health, pushed the province's seven-day average for new infections to 636 per day, up from 622 on Tuesday.
B.C.'s seven-day average for coronavirus-related deaths also climbed to 5.29 per day, the highest it's been since February, when the province was just ramping up its vaccination program.
"Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of those who have died as a result of COVID-19," Health Minister Adrian Dix said on Twitter.
Seven of the deceased lived in the Fraser Health region, two lived in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and one lived in the Island Health region, according to the ministry. Officials did not release the ages or vaccination statuses of any of the people who died.
The update indicated there are 324 COVID-19 patients in hospital across the province, including 157 in intensive care – though official ICU numbers have recently come into question.
CTV News has learned that coronavirus patients in ICU are removed from the provincial total once they are no longer considered infectious, even though they sometimes remain in treatment for months.
Wednesday's update does not include the vaccination statuses of COVID-19 patients in ICU, though officials previously said 94 per cent of the 155 who were in intensive care as of Tuesday were not fully vaccinated. About 88 per cent had not received a single dose, including all patients under the age of 40.
The latest confirmed COVID-19 infections pushed the province's active caseload to 5,458, an increase of 176 from Tuesday.
About 30 per cent of the new cases were recorded in the Interior Health region, followed by 28 per cent in Fraser Health, 17 per cent in Northern Health, 13 per cent in Vancouver Coastal Health and 10 per cent in Island Health.
For context, Interior Health represents about 16 per cent of the provincial population; Fraser Health, 38 per cent; Northern Health, six per cent; Vancouver Coastal Health, 24 per cent; and Island Health, 17 per cent.
The Ministry of Health also announced one more outbreak, at the Sunset Manor assisted living facility in Chilliwack. There are now 23 active outbreaks across B.C.'s health-care system.
Officials have stressed that the best way to curb COVID-19 transmission and avoid hospitalization is to get vaccinated. Just over 87 per cent of B.C.'s eligible population age 12 and older has received at least one dose, and just under 80 per cent have received both.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.