Following COVID-19 death of person in their 20s, B.C. health officials direct message to younger residents
B.C. health officials are once again warning young people about the dangers of COVID-19 after the death of a person in their 20s.
In a COVID-19 briefing Thursday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that the young victim was a resident of B.C.’s Northern Health authority, which has recently seen a spike in cases and high transmission rates.
Henry says the highly transmissible Delta variant that we’re seeing across the province is largely to blame.
“We are seeing it cause more severe illness in younger people,” says Henry. “So if you are somebody who is young and healthy and thinks: ‘I’m just going to get through this, no problem,’ that’s not the case now.”
B.C.’s top doctor says more younger people are ending up in hospitals and intensive care units, particularly those who are unvaccinated in communities in the north.
“We need to take additional measures to stop this transmission, to stop this severe illness in young people, in middle-aged people and people whose immune systems aren’t working as well,” says Henry.
“We are seeing hospitals and ICUs filling up with young and otherwise healthy individuals struggling to breathe with COVID-19.”
Henry adds that the strain on hospitals isn’t only affecting people who become infected with COVID-19, but others who are seeking medical care.
“It’s spilling over into communities, meaning that young people can’t get care for the issues they have. People who need cancer treatment, people who have heart attacks, it’s now a challenge for everybody in our community. So we need to take additional actions,” says Henry.
Health officials also announced new COVID-19 restrictions to help stop the spread in the province’s hard-hit communities in the Northern Health region.
The restrictions – which include strict limits on gatherings and the closure of bars and nightclubs – will be in place until Nov. 19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.