COVID-19 update: B.C. adds 652 cases, 2 deaths as new regional restrictions imposed
British Columbia has recorded another 652 cases of COVID-19 and two related deaths, officials said Tuesday after announcing new regional restrictions for part of the Lower Mainland.
The latest numbers, shared in a written statement from the Ministry of Health, pushed the province's seven-day average for new infections to 746 per day, up from 728 on Monday.
The number of coronavirus hospitalizations increased to 316, up from 303 on Monday, with 141 patients in intensive care.
Officials did not share a breakdown of current patients' vaccination status, but said 82.5 per cent of hospitalizations between Sept. 13 and 26 involved people who were unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated.
"After factoring for age, people not vaccinated are 26.7 times more likely to be hospitalized than those fully vaccinated," the Ministry of Health said in its statement.
Fraser Health recorded the most cases of any health authority, at 219, or about 33 per cent of those announced Tuesday, but Northern Health once again saw the highest number of cases per capita.
That health authority had 41.2 infections per 100,000 residents, compared to 19.6 in Interior Health, 11.5 in Fraser Health, 9.5 in Island Health and 5.9 in Vancouver Coastal Health.
Another 759 people have recovered from COVID-19, according to the ministry, causing the province's active caseload to dip below 6,000, to, 5,992.
Earlier in the day, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced targeted COVID-19 measures for the Fraser East local health area, including limits for personal gatherings and organized events attended by non-vaccinated guests. There are already regional restrictions in place for Interior Health and Northern Health.
Officials also revealed the province will begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to residents of long-term care homes and assisted living facilities.
The Ministry of Health announced two new outbreaks in those settings Tuesday, at Village by the Station and the Willingdon Care Centre.
Another has been declared at Wrinch Memorial Hospital, while the outbreak at Fort St. John Hospital has ended, leaving a total of 22 active outbreaks across B.C.'s health-care system.
During a modelling presentation, Henry also shared data on the province's recent spike in cases among children and youth under the age of 18, who accounted for 1,086 cases during the week ending on Sept. 23. She noted that transmission among school-aged kids has been much higher in areas of lower vaccination rates, including the Northern Health and Interior Health regions.
As of Tuesday, 87.8 per cent of eligible B.C. residents age 12 and older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 80.6 per cent have received both.
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.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.