COVID hospitalizations drop below 100 as BCCDC switches to monthly reporting
The number of people with COVID-19 in B.C. hospitals dropped below 100 this week for the first time since last summer.
The latest data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control shows 97 test-positive COVID patients in provincial hospitals, down from 105 at this time last week.
The number of people with COVID-19 reported in provincial hospitals by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control in 2024 is shown. (CTV News)
Thursday's total is the lowest the BCCDC has reported so far in 2024, and the first time the hospitalization count has been below 100 since August 2023, when the agency reported just 76 patients in hospital.
That August update was a two-year low for COVID-19 hospitalizations in B.C., according to CTV News tracking of publicly released data. It was followed by a dramatic surge in September and October, growing more than five-fold to 422 test-positive patients by Oct. 5, 2023.
If this year follow's last year's pattern, the province is on pace to see an even lower summer low. Last year at this time, there were 268 people hospitalized with COVID, more than double the current total.
Of course, there's no guarantee that transmission of the disease will follow the same pattern it did last summer.
While the hospitalized population has been declining slowly and steadily in recent weeks, other data released by the BCCDC on Thursday has not necessarily followed the same pattern.
The latest update shows 254 new infections confirmed through lab-based testing during the most recent epidemiological week, which ended April 27. That's essentially unchanged from the 253 reported the week before and the 252 reported the week before that.
The percentage of tests coming back positive rose slightly during the most recent week, going from 8.8 per cent to nine per cent, largely as a result of fewer tests being conducted overall.
Whether this recent plateauing of transmission data corresponds to a plateau or slight resurgence of hospitalizations in the coming weeks will not be known until the start of June, as the BCCDC is switching from weekly to monthly reports over the summer.
Wastewater surveillance data will continue to be released weekly on the agency's website, however, and can provide some insight into general trends in virus transmission.
The latest wastewater data released Thursday shows relatively low SARS-CoV-2 concentrations at all monitored treatment plants, with most showing either stable or decreasing trends.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Jesus is their savior, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Impaired driver sentenced to 7 years after double-fatal Cambridge crash
A man who killed two people in a drunk driving crash was sentenced Friday to seven years behind bars.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.