COVID-19 update: B.C. averages fewer than 100 cases per day over the weekend
British Columbia averaged fewer than 100 new cases of COVID-19 per day over the weekend, health officials revealed Monday after announcing the province is moving into the next phase of its restart plan.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said only 277 infections were identified over the three 24-hour reporting periods beginning Friday afternoon.
That includes just 68 detected from Sunday to Monday, which represents the lowest single-day increase in cases since September.
B.C. also recorded four more coronavirus-related fatalities over the weekend, bringing the province's death toll to 1,734.
"Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19," Henry and Dix said in a joint written statement.
The number of people battling COVID-19 in hospital fell to 136 – a 16 per cent drop from Friday – while patients in intensive care decreased to 42.
B.C.'s active caseload also fell to 1,537, a drop of more than 300 from the last update. The number of active cases across the province hasn't been that low since Oct. 16.
Meanwhile, the province celebrated another vaccine milestone after surpassing four million doses administered in total.
That includes 154,765 given out over the weekend, the majority of which were second shots. B.C. has now administered 4,048,346 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, including enough first shots to partially vaccinate 75.9 per cent of all adults in the province and 74.1 per cent of those 12 and older.
Henry and Dix have credited widespread immunization for the progress in controlling COVID-19 transmission, which has allowed officials to relax several restrictions in the province. But they have also stressed that more people must get registered and receive both doses to ensure the province keeps moving in the right direction, particularly as the Delta variant circulates in communities.
"Our target immunization rate is 100% – to get as many people fully vaccinated as soon as we can – so please register and book your appointments as soon as you are eligible," they said.
"Let’s keep moving forward safely as we enter this exciting next stage in B.C.'s restart plan."
Step 2 of the province's reopening begins on Tuesday, and will allow residents to travel recreationally anywhere in B.C. and host gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors.
Of the 146,453 cases of COVID-19 identified across B.C. so far, about 98 per cent – or 143,147 people – have recovered.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A healthy lifestyle can mitigate genetic risk for early death by 62%, study suggests
Even if your genetics put you at greater risk for early death, a healthy lifestyle could help you significantly combat it, according to a new study.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
No, a best-selling American writing duo didn't pen a Galen Weston romance novel
You would be forgiven for thinking Christina Lauren's latest romance novel stars a hunky reimagining of Loblaw chairman Galen G. Weston.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Sunchips, Munchies recalled by Frito Lay Canada for possible salmonella contamination
Frito Lay Canada is recalling two of its most popular snacks due to a possible risk of salmonella contamination.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.