Fewer COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals this week as 6th wave shows signs of receding
The number of COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals has declined since last week, but remains elevated compared to where it was when the province first switched to weekly reporting of pandemic data.
There were 540 test-positive patients in hospital as of Thursday, down from 596 at this time last week and the lowest total seen since April 21.
This graph shows the number of people with COVID-19 in B.C. hospitals on Thursdays since the province switched to a "hospital census" model for counting hospitalizations in January 2022. (CTV)
There were also 49 people with COVID-19 in critical care in B.C. as of Thursday.
Hospitalization totals include both those who are admitted to hospital because of serious illness caused by COVID-19 and those who are admitted to hospital for other reasons and test positive incidentally.
This is known as a "hospital census" approach. Since the province switched to counting hospitalizations this way in January, there have been as many as 985 coronavirus patients in hospital and as few as 255.
DECLINING CASES AND MODELLING
The number of patients currently in hospital and receiving critical care is the only up-to-date data the B.C. Centre for Disease Control publishes in its weekly updates. All of the other data released each week is for the last full epidemiological week, which spanned May 8 to 14.
During that time period, there were 1,645 new, lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, marking the third consecutive week that new positive tests have declined in the province.
It should be noted, however, that the province only reports a fraction of new infections each week. The totals B.C. releases reflect only cases confirmed by or epidemiologically linked to positive PCR tests, and most residents of the province do not qualify for a publicly funded PCR test under the current testing strategy. The province neither collects nor reports positive rapid test results.
Still, declines in patients in hospital and lab-confirmed cases – along with recent wastewater surveillance in the Lower Mainland – are signs that the sixth wave of the pandemic in B.C. has reached its peak, according to the latest analysis of pandemic data from the independent B.C. COVID-19 modelling group.
The group's report notes, however, that rates of hospitalization and cases remain high.
"While the second Omicron wave (BA.2 driven) appears to be peaking at a lower level than the first Omicron wave (BA.1 driven), hospital occupancy and cases (using an age-based correction for underreporting) are still higher than any previous time in the pandemic, prior to Omicron," the report reads.
NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS
Other data released by the BCCDC on Thursday does not show ongoing declines.
The number of new hospital admissions during the week of May 8 to 14, for example, was essentially the same as the number reported last Thursday. There were 334 this week and 331 in the initial count last week.
Last week's numbers have since been revised up to 391 new hospitalizations, and the current week's total is expected to be revised "as data become more complete," but the starting point for the two weeks is nearly identical.
Similarly, the BCCDC reported 59 new deaths for the week of May 8 to 14, which is the same number it reported for the preceding week.
Deaths are measured as "30-day, all-cause mortality," meaning anyone who dies within 30 days of a positive COVID-19 test is included, regardless of whether the disease is what caused them to die.
Death totals are also subject to revision over time. Last week's 59 new deaths, for example, had been revised up to 84 as of Thursday. That's the highest number of deaths the province has reported in a week since switching to the all-cause mortality model on April 2.
WASTEWATER A MIXED BAG
While wastewater surveillance had been pointing in the direction of declining transmission in recent weeks, the latest report from the BCCDC offers mixed signals.
Two facilities – Annacis Island and Iona Island – have seen viral loads decrease steadily for three weeks, according to the BCCDC.
The other three, however, have seen increasing trends, described in the latest "situation report" as follows:
- Viral loads at Northwest Largely plant are variable week-over-week but have increased for one week.
- Viral loads at Lulu Island are variable week-over-week but are elevated and have increased for two weeks.
- Viral loads at Lions Gate plant are variable week-over-week but have increased for the past two weeks.
VACCINATION DATA
The province administered 46,687 new doses of COVID-19 vaccines during the week of May 8 to 14, for an average of roughly 6,600 per day.
The vast majority of those – some 35,301 – were fourth doses. Only 1,566 were first doses.
As of May 14, 91 per cent of B.C. residents ages five and older had received at least one shot, 88 per cent had received two and 55 per cent had received three.
Fourth doses are currently only being offered in British Columbia to people ages 70 and older, Indigenous residents age 55 and older, people living in long-term care homes, and those considered extremely clinically vulnerable to severe infection.
Eleven per cent of B.C. residents ages 70 and older have received a fourth shot, according to the BCCDC.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.