COVID-19 update: B.C. adds 946 cases, 11 deaths over 72 hours
Another 946 cases of COVID-19 and 11 related deaths have been recorded across British Columbia over the last 72 hours, the government said Monday as coronavirus hospitalizations reached a three-month low.
The update from B.C.'s Ministry of Health caused the province's seven-day average for infections, which has stayed relatively flat since late November, to decrease slightly to 350 per day. The seven-day average for related deaths remained at 4.14 per day.
Meanwhile, the number of infectious COVID-19 patients in hospital dropped to 241 over the weekend, which is the lowest it's been since Sept. 6. The number of patients in intensive care also fell to 89, down from 95 on Friday.
B.C.'s active case count decreased to 2,876, a drop of about 200 from last week.
While some COVID-19 numbers have been trending in the right direction, there are growing concerns about the new Omicron variant and what impact it might have on transmission around the world.
Earlier on Monday, Health Minister Adrian Dix noted the government's main focus remains on the Delta variant, which already has had a "profound impact" on the province.
"We don't need Omicron to tell us to be cautious over Christmas. We just need to look at the Delta variant, which is here now and has a profound effect on all of us," he said. "This is a time when you should be concerned with the vaccination status of those around you and ensure that you stay safe right now."
So far, 85.5 per cent of eligible B.C. residents age five and older have had at least one dose of vaccine, and 82 per cent have had two.
The unvaccinated continue to make up the majority of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, according to the ministry's numbers, despite representing less than 18 per cent of the overall population, including babies, toddlers and other children who are too young for any of the approved vaccines.
People who haven't received a single dose of vaccine made up 54 per cent of infections between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, and 61.5 per cent of COVID-19 hospitalizations between Nov. 19 and Dec. 2.
The government does not release details on the vaccination status of people who have died from COVID-19 on a daily basis. Of the deaths recorded over the weekend, five victims lived in the Fraser Health region, four lived in the Northern Health region, and two lived in the Interior Health region.
Health authority regions that have lagged behind the provincial average in vaccinations are still recording higher daily case numbers per capita.
Over the last 72 hours, Northern Health saw the highest rate of transmission with 38 cases per 100,000 residents, compared to 14.6 in Fraser Health and 11.1 in Vancouver Coastal Health. Interior Health and Island Health recorded 25.7 and 22.7 cases per 100,000 residents, respectively.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.