Number hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. hits new low for 2024 in latest update
![hospital bed Courtesy: Shutterstock.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2022/1/17/hospital-bed-emergency-department-1-5742893-1694642560163.jpg)
The number of patients in B.C. hospitals with COVID-19 reached its lowest level of 2024 so far on Thursday.
The latest weekly data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control shows 146 people hospitalized with the disease, a 14-per-cent decrease from the 170 reported in provincial hospitals last week.
The number of COVID-19 patients reported in hospital in each public update from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control in 2024 is shown. (CTV)
Thursday's hospitalization total is also the lowest the BCCDC has reported publicly since Aug. 3, when there were just 76 COVID-positive patients in B.C. hospitals.
That figure was a two-year low.
Whether the hospital census drops that low again in the coming weeks remains to be seen. The BCCDC said in its summary of respiratory illness data released Thursday that COVID numbers have been "relatively stable" in recent weeks.
The BCCDC reported Thursday that there were 396 new positive lab tests for COVID-19 in the most recent epidemiological week, which spanned Feb. 11 to 17. That's essentially unchanged from the 394 new infection episodes detected the week before.
Meanwhile, the ratio of tests that came back positive during the week ending Feb. 17 was 11.3 per cent, a slight increase from the 10.7 per cent positivity recorded the week before.
During her most recent remarks on respiratory illness season back in early January, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry noted that COVID-19 has, so far, behaved less seasonally than other respiratory illnesses.
Thursday's data matches that observation. While COVID numbers were mixed – but largely stable – in this week's update, the number of new influenza and RSV infections declined, as did test positivity for those illnesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.