B.C. adds 609 cases of COVID-19, 6 deaths as hospitalizations climb again
The B.C. government has announced 609 new cases of COVID-19 and six related deaths, along with another increase in coronavirus hospitalizations.
Wednesday's update, provided in a written statement from the Ministry of Health, pushed the province's seven-day average for infections down to 578 cases per day. That average has been gradually decreasing since last Thursday, when it was at 640 cases per day.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital has been surging, reaching a five-month high of 390 on Tuesday and increasing further to 422 on Wednesday. That includes 157 patients in intensive care.
Some of that increase appears to be linked to a change in reporting, though officials did not provide much detail on the impact of the switch.
The Ministry of Health said the Interior Health Authority changed the "primary source of COVID-19 hospitalization surveillance data" this week, which caused a one-time increase in patient numbers.
"This change is retrospective to the beginning of the pandemic though primarily affects cases reported since August 2021," the ministry said in its statement. No further details on the nature of the change were given.
Any increase in hospitalizations would be poorly timed this week, after more than 4,000 health-care workers were placed on unpaid leave for failing to receive even a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Those unvaccinated workers represent about three per cent of health-care employees who are under the new mandate.
While they are a small minority in the system, there have been concerns about how their absence will affect staffing levels and morale – though Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry have been quick to note that COVID-19 outbreaks in health-care settings have a serious impact as well.
Across the province, 89.7 per cent of eligible residents have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 84.7 per cent have received both.
Even though the unvaccinated make up fewer than 20 per cent of the provincial population, including those who are too young to be vaccinated, they consistently make up the majority of cases, hospitalizations and patients in ICU.
The Northern Health Authority, which has been trailing other regions in vaccinations, has also regularly been recording the highest number of infections per capita. The latest cases were distributed as follows:
- Northern Health – 126 cases, a rate of 44.3 per 100,000 population
- Interior Health – 92 cases, a rate of 11.1 per 100,000 population
- Fraser Health – 257 cases, a rate of 13.5 per 100,000 population
- Island Health – 55 cases, a rate of 6.4 per 100,000 population
- Vancouver Coastal Health – 79 cases, a rate of 6.1 per 100,000 population
Another 700 people have also recovered from COVID-19, leaving the province's active caseload at 4,748, down from 4,829 on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.