COVID-19 in B.C.: 368 test positive, 5 more deaths announced
Another 368 COVID-19 infections have been recorded in B.C., the province's health ministry announced Thursday.
The update, released in a written statement, also announced five more coronavirus-related deaths.
Thursday's update brought B.C. back over 3,000 active cases of COVID-19, with 3,020. Earlier this week, the province's active caseload dropped below 3,000 for the first time in three months.
Though active cases were up, the rolling seven-day average for new cases dropped slightly on Thursday, to 345 from 353.
There are 284 infectious COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals, including 97 who are in intensive care units.
The latest numbers were released as Canada's federal and provincial governments brace for the impact of the concerning new Omicron variant, which has already appeared in several provinces, including B.C.
Experts have noted the variant has an alarmingly high number of mutations, though it remains unclear how they will affect transmissibility, severity of illness and possible vaccine resistance.
As of Thursday, 85 per cent of eligible people ages five and older in B.C. had received at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 81.8 per cent had received their second dose.
The vast majority of those who have been vaccinated are over age 12. The province just started administering vaccines to those between the ages of five and 11 on Monday.
Among those 12 and older, 91.2 per cent of B.C. residents have received at least one dose, and 87.9 per cent have received two shots. Approximately 10 per cent - some 452,593 people - have received a third dose.
Vaccinated people continue to be significantly less likely than unvaccinated people to contract COVID-19 and to be hospitalized in B.C.
Those who have not received any vaccine doses account for less than 20 per cent of the total population in B.C., but made up more than half (54 per cent) of new cases recorded from Nov. 24 to 30.
Likewise, unvaccinated people accounted for 64.5 per cent of new hospitalizations between Nov. 17 and 30, according to the ministry.
The largest share of Thursday's cases was found in the Interior Health region, where 101 new infections were recorded.
Fraser Health added 90 cases, Island Health 88, Vancouver Coastal Health 48 and Northern Health 40.
Three of the five deaths recorded Thursday were in Fraser Health, while the other two were in Northern Health.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.