COVID-19 update: B.C.'s active cases, seven-day average reach three-month low
The number of active COVID-19 cases across British Columbia reached a three-month low of 3,047 on Tuesday, as officials unveiled their plans for vaccinating children as young as five.
The province's seven-day average for coronavirus cases, which has been trending downward for almost two weeks, also dropped to a three-month low of 381 per day.
The last time B.C.'s active case count and seven-day average were that low was Aug. 9, when they sat at 3,306 and 355, respectively.
The Ministry of Health also announced 324 new cases and one related death Tuesday, bringing the provincial totals to 216,012 infections and 2,304 related fatalities since the start of the pandemic.
The latest person to die in relation to COVID-19 lived in B.C.'s Northern Health region.
The number of infectious COVID-19 patients in hospital increased slightly to 345, while the number in intensive care remained steady at 115.
Unvaccinated British Columbians still represent the majority of cases and hospitalizations, despite making up less than 19 per cent of the provincial population, including those under the age of 12 who were just recently made eligible for vaccination and have yet to receive their shots.
Between Nov. 15 and 21, the unvaccinated made up 54.3 per cent of B.C.'s 2,618 cases. They also made up 61.7 per cent of the province's 248 hospitalizations recorded between Nov. 8 and 21.
On Tuesday afternoon, health officials shared more information on how they'll be distributing shots to children between the ages of five and 11, confirming the government will begin contacting families to make appointments next week.
Parents still have to register their children in order to receive an invitation, however. Officials said 91,000 of the approximately 360,000 kids in that age group have already been entered into the system.
Unlike previous vaccine rollouts, officials said children between five and 11 will need to make an appointment for their shots, which will be distributed eight weeks apart.
The dose they will be receiving is smaller than those given to adults and teenagers – 10 milligrams instead of 30 – which was determined to build just as strong an immune response in that age group.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry noted that's not because of their comparably small size, but "because our immune systems when we're younger are just that much more responsive."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6970476.1721410082!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
The CrowdStrike outage is affecting health-care services in Canada. Here's what you need to know
A global technology outage that's grounded flights and delayed border crossings is also challenging health-care services in the country, as issues with Microsoft services persist.
Quebec woman's death warns of dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad
Brian McConnell's daughter, Florence McConnell, died after a liposuction surgery complication in Morocco. Now, he warns others against undergoing cosmetic surgeries abroad.
Interior residents get ready to flee as B.C. fire tally soars past 300
The out-of-control Shetland Creek fire in British Columbia's southern Interior has more than doubled in size due to what the wildfire service describes as "significant overnight growth" and more accurate mapping.
Polar bear 'Baffin' dies at Calgary Zoo after not resurfacing from pool
A polar bear died in its enclosure at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on Friday.
'I feel cheated': Here are the products hit hardest by shrinkflation
Canadians who feel like they are getting less bang for their buck at the grocery store these days might be right. A new report shows the effects of shrinkflation are real.
Tentative deal to end LCBO strike on hold as province accuses union of introducing new demands
The LCBO strike appears to be back on just hours after a tentative agreement was announced.
Woman guilty of murdering, dismembering boyfriend in Nanaimo, B.C.
A 28-year-old British Columbia woman has been found guilty of killing and dismembering her boyfriend on Vancouver Island nearly four years ago.
opinion Trump's assassination attempt not a political winner
Danger and fear are so pervasive throughout the national political ethos it is now the norm, writes Washington political columnist Eric Ham.
What a Donald Trump presidency means for Canada
The most striking thing about walking the floor of the Republican National Convention (RNC) is seeing just how much this is Donald Trump's party, CTV News' Vassy Kapelos says.