COVID-19 update: B.C. adds 946 cases, 11 deaths over 72 hours
Another 946 cases of COVID-19 and 11 related deaths have been recorded across British Columbia over the last 72 hours, the government said Monday as coronavirus hospitalizations reached a three-month low.
The update from B.C.'s Ministry of Health caused the province's seven-day average for infections, which has stayed relatively flat since late November, to decrease slightly to 350 per day. The seven-day average for related deaths remained at 4.14 per day.
Meanwhile, the number of infectious COVID-19 patients in hospital dropped to 241 over the weekend, which is the lowest it's been since Sept. 6. The number of patients in intensive care also fell to 89, down from 95 on Friday.
B.C.'s active case count decreased to 2,876, a drop of about 200 from last week.
While some COVID-19 numbers have been trending in the right direction, there are growing concerns about the new Omicron variant and what impact it might have on transmission around the world.
Earlier on Monday, Health Minister Adrian Dix noted the government's main focus remains on the Delta variant, which already has had a "profound impact" on the province.
"We don't need Omicron to tell us to be cautious over Christmas. We just need to look at the Delta variant, which is here now and has a profound effect on all of us," he said. "This is a time when you should be concerned with the vaccination status of those around you and ensure that you stay safe right now."
So far, 85.5 per cent of eligible B.C. residents age five and older have had at least one dose of vaccine, and 82 per cent have had two.
The unvaccinated continue to make up the majority of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, according to the ministry's numbers, despite representing less than 18 per cent of the overall population, including babies, toddlers and other children who are too young for any of the approved vaccines.
People who haven't received a single dose of vaccine made up 54 per cent of infections between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, and 61.5 per cent of COVID-19 hospitalizations between Nov. 19 and Dec. 2.
The government does not release details on the vaccination status of people who have died from COVID-19 on a daily basis. Of the deaths recorded over the weekend, five victims lived in the Fraser Health region, four lived in the Northern Health region, and two lived in the Interior Health region.
Health authority regions that have lagged behind the provincial average in vaccinations are still recording higher daily case numbers per capita.
Over the last 72 hours, Northern Health saw the highest rate of transmission with 38 cases per 100,000 residents, compared to 14.6 in Fraser Health and 11.1 in Vancouver Coastal Health. Interior Health and Island Health recorded 25.7 and 22.7 cases per 100,000 residents, respectively.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.