B.C. reports 13 COVID-19 deaths, another jump in hospitalizations
The B.C. government has announced 13 more deaths related to COVID-19, along with another jump in test-positive patients in hospital.
Wednesday's update from the Ministry of Health continues the trends of increasing fatalities and hospitalizations that have been recorded in the province for weeks.
B.C.'s seven-day average for coronavirus-related deaths has now reached 7.14 per day, which is the highest it's been since Nov. 16. The average was holding steady at around 1.29 per day at the beginning of the year.
Six of the deaths were recorded in the Fraser Health region, four were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, two were in the Island Health region and one was in the Interior Health region.
Meanwhile, the number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 has increased to 895, up from 854 on Tuesday. That includes 115 patients in intensive care.
Overall hospitalization numbers are now considered an "overestimate" of COVID-19's immediate impact on the health-care system, as the province switched to a new system of reporting that includes all so-called incidental cases – people who were in hospital for reasons unrelated to the virus but tested positive during routine screening.
Officials have said approximately 45 per cent of COVID-19 hospitalizations are likely incidental, based on a case study conducted in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.
All cases involving patients still put additional strain on hospital resources, however, and can spread to doctors and nurses, forcing them off the job and exacerbating staffing shortages.
The Ministry of Health also announced five more outbreaks in care homes and acute care facilities, at Joseph Creek Care Village, Eagle Ridge Manor, Sidney All Care, Sunrise of Victoria and Comox Valley Seniors Village. Two others were declared over, leaving 56 active outbreaks across B.C.'s health-care system – most at long-term care homes.
It's possible the recent resurgence in outbreaks is connected to the surge in COVID-19 deaths – provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry noted this week that people over the age of 70 remain at higher risk of severe outcomes than the general population, even if they are vaccinated. That's partly because people's immune systems become less responsive as they age, Henry said.
Officials still recommend vaccination for all eligible age groups, as it has shown to drastically reduce the chance of hospitalization, intensive care admission, and death.
Another 2,387 cases of COVID-19 were announced Wednesday as well, though daily infection numbers are not currently believed to accurately capture transmission in the province. Because testing capacity has been stretched to its limits during the Omicron wave, officials have started recommending that young, healthy people who experience mild symptoms forego testing and begin self-isolation instead.
Officials have said they believe B.C.'s COVID-19 transmission has already peaked and started to decrease, however, pointing to ongoing monitoring of the virus in wastewater.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.