Island Health confirms 3 COVID-19 deaths as hospitalizations continue to rise
Over the past 72 hours, Island Health confirmed three new COVID-19-related deaths, according to the B.C. Ministry of Health.
The deaths were reported as hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continue to rise in the health authority.
Across the province, 19 deaths were confirmed over the weekend, including the three that occurred in Island Health.
Since the pandemic began, 2,616 people have died of COVID-19 in B.C., including 171 in Island Health.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, 117 patients are currently in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, up from 112 reported Friday and 81 confirmed a week ago on Jan. 24.
The number of patients requiring critical care dipped to nine on Monday, down from 11 reported on Friday and 11 confirmed on Jan. 24.
Around this time last month, on Dec. 31, 53 people were in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 in Island Health, including 12 patients who required critical care.
NEW CASES
Health officials say 575 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Vancouver Island region over the weekend.
The cases were among 4,075 new cases confirmed across the province over the past 72 hours, including 1,725 cases confirmed Saturday, 1,293 added Sunday, and 1,057 reported Monday.
While confirmed cases are only a fraction of B.C.'s total number of COVID-19 cases, health officials say test results still serve as an indicator of transmission rates in the province.
As of Monday, there are 27,454 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including 1,364 active cases in the island region.
VACCINATIONS
Approximately 89.9 per cent of eligible British Columbians aged five and older have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 84 per cent have received two doses.
As of Monday, 45.9 per cent of eligible B.C. residents aged 12 and older have received three doses of vaccine.
Correction
A previous version of this story said 119 people were in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island on Monday. In fact, the correct total is 117.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says
A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction."
Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Digging themselves out: With Santa Claus parade cancelled, Londoners make best of snowy situation
Londoners continue to dig themselves out from this week’s massive snowstorm.
Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released
The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023.
U.S. announces nearly US$1 billion more in longer-term weapons support for Ukraine
The United States will provide nearly US$1 billion more in longer-term weapons support to Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday.
New plan made to refloat cargo ship stuck in St. Lawrence River for two weeks
Officials say they have come up with a new plan to refloat a large cargo ship that ran aground in the St. Lawrence River two weeks ago after previous efforts to move the vessel were unsuccessful.
Why finding the suspected CEO killer is harder than you might think
He killed a high-profile CEO on a sidewalk in America’s largest city, where thousands of surveillance cameras monitor millions of people every day.
Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case
A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals.
An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on
France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is formally reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019.