COVID-19 update: B.C. adds 402 cases as seven-day average nears 250
B.C.'s Ministry of Health announced another 402 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, pushing the province's seven-day average for new infections to nearly 250.
The update also represents the biggest single-day increase in cases B.C. has seen since May 21. The province's active caseload jumped to 2,066 as well, the highest it's been since June 7.
B.C.'s ongoing surge in COVID-19 infections has caused some concern that the province could be heading for a fourth wave of the pandemic.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry noted Thursday that 95 per cent of recent cases have involved people who are not fully immunized against the disease, and described the surge in infections as "a wave of cases in the unvaccinated."
"I am grateful to all the British Columbians who have rolled up their sleeves to get their COVID-19 vaccine," she said in a news release. "This simple act brings us one step closer to putting the pandemic behind us."
Health officials have indicated their response remains focused on bringing up vaccination numbers. The government held its first "Walk-in Wednesday" event this week, allowing people to get first or second doses without booking an appointment, and said more than 16,000 people took part.
"From Vanderhoof to Victoria, from Chilliwack to Creston, we saw thousands of people throughout B.C. drop in for Walk-in Wednesday and do their part to get vaccinated," Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a statement.
A total of 33,000 doses of vaccine were administered Wednesday, including walk-in appointments, which is the most given out in a day since July 10.
The province has administered a total of 6,965,062 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines so far, including enough first doses for nearly 82 per cent of eligible residents age 12 and older. Just over 68 per cent of eligible British Columbians have received both doses.
The government has implemented other measures to combat climbing case numbers. Interior Health, which is battling a unique increase in transmission, recently declared a regional outbreak in the Central Okanagan and re-instituted a local mask mandate.
Of the cases announced Thursday, more than half – 234 – were recorded in Interior Health.
No one has died from COVID-19 since Wednesday's update, leaving the province's death toll at 1,722.
The number of COVID-19 patients in hospital increased to 58, though the number in intensive care decreased slightly to 21.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.