5 new COVID-19 deaths confirmed in Island Health
Five deaths related to COVID-19 were confirmed in the Vancouver Island region Wednesday, according to the B.C. Ministry of Health.
Across the province, 21 deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, including those in Island Health.
Eighty-seven people are currently in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.
That total is down from the 100 patients reported on Tuesday, but up from the 60 confirmed a week ago on Jan. 19.
According to the BCCDC, 10 patients are currently receiving critical care for COVID-19 in Island Health, down from the 13 confirmed yesterday, but up from the seven reported on Jan. 19.
NEW CASES
Another 219 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Vancouver Island region Wednesday.
The new cases were among 2,086 cases confirmed across the province over the past 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry.
While confirmed cases are not a true reflection of B.C.'s total number of COVID-19 cases, health officials say the tests are used as an indicator of transmission rates in the province.
Health officials add that Wednesday's totals are preliminary due to a "delayed data refresh" and may be updated at a later date.
As of Wednesday, there are 30,058 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including 1,781 active cases in the island region
VACCINATIONS
Approximately 89.7 per cent of eligible British Columbians aged five and older have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 83.6 per cent have received two doses.
Meanwhile, 42.2 per cent of eligible B.C. residents aged 12 and older have received three doses of vaccine.
Earlier Wednesday, the province also announced it was distributing 250,000 rapid test kits to child-care workers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.