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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.