COVID-19 update: B.C. reports 1,692 cases, 11 deaths as hospitalizations top 300
B.C. recorded 1,692 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 related deaths over the weekend, while the number of coronavirus hospitalizations topped 300 for the first time in months.
The latest numbers, released by the Ministry of Health of Monday, pushed the province's seven-day average for new infections to 643, down from 685 as of Friday.
But the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital increased to 307, including 156 people in intensive care. The last time hospitalizations were that high was May 25, when there were 301 people in hospital and 93 in intensive care.
A recent U.K. study found the Delta variant, which is now the dominant strain in Canada, could double the risk of hospitalization among the unvaccinated.
People who aren't fully vaccinated against COVID-19 continue to make up the vast majority of coronavirus hospitalizations in B.C., according to officials. Numbers shared by Health Minister Adrian Dix on Twitter show 89 per cent of current ICU patients haven't received a single dose, including all 22 of the patients who are under the age of 40.
Health-care workers have been sounding the alarm about the influx of COVID-19 patients putting strain on B.C.'s resources, as overflowing hospitals in neighbouring Alberta have left officials looking for help from other provinces.
The Ministry of Health also announced one new COVID-19 outbreak on Monday, at the Overlander long-term care facility in Kamloops. There are now 21 active outbreaks across B.C.'s health-care system, including at Chilliwack General Hospital, Fort St. John Hospital and Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.
Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry have stressed that the best way to ease the pressure on hospitals is to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.
As of Monday, B.C. has administered 7,711,306 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. Nearly 87 per cent of the eligible population age 12 and older have received at least one dose, and 79.4 per cent have received both doses.
The case numbers announced Monday were recorded over three 24-hour reporting periods: 644 were identified from Friday to Saturday, followed by 613 from Saturday to Sunday and 435 from Sunday to Monday.
The Fraser Health authority reported the highest number of cases and deaths.
Six of the people who died related to COVID-19 over the weekend lived in the Fraser Health region, according to officials. Three were in Northern Health and the remaining two lived in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.
Another 2,116 people recovered from COVID-19 over the weekend as well, pushing B.C.'s active case count to 5,608, down from 6,031 on Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.