Island Health confirms 1 new COVID-19 death in final update of the week
B.C. health officials have confirmed one new COVID-19 death in the Vancouver Island region Friday.
Across the province, nine COVID-19-related deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, including the one in Island Health.
Since the pandemic began, 2,529 people have died of COVID-19 in B.C., including 162 in the island region.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, 65 people are in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island.
Friday's total is up from the 56 patients in hospital Thursday, and an increase from the 37 reported one week ago on Jan. 14.
As of Friday, 11 patients are receiving critical care in Island Health, up from seven reported Thursday and nine confirmed on Jan. 14.
Roughly one month ago, on Dec. 21, 40 people were in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 in Island Health, including 15 patients who required critical care.
NEW CASES
Health officials have confirmed 2,364 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including 334 cases in the Vancouver Island region Friday.
Although confirmed cases are only a fraction of the total number of cases in B.C., health officials say the test results are still an indicator of transmission rates in the province.
"Yes, we have our highest test positivity rates ever, and it's in the 20 to 30 per cent positive range, but that means 70 per cent of people who are testing don't have COVID-19," said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry at a live update Friday morning.
There are currently 33,997 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including 2,024 active cases in the island region, according to the Health Ministry.
At the briefing, Henry added that contact tracing was no longer an effective tool for managing the pandemic, since the Omicron variant is highly transmissible.
"We now need to shift our management and think about the things we can do across the board to prevent transmission and prevent ourselves from being exposed," she said.
VACCINATIONS
As of Friday, approximately 89.4 per cent of eligible British Columbians aged five and older have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 83.5 per cent have received two doses.
Meanwhile, roughly 37.8 per cent of eligible British Columbians aged 12 and older have received a third dose of vaccine.
Earlier Friday, Island Health declared three new COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care homes on Vancouver Island.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre faces backlash for comments on Jordan Peterson podcast
Some are calling attention to a comment about 'Anglo-Saxon words' that Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre made while appearing as a guest on controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson’s podcast. The term has been used by those on the far-right to differentiate white people from immigrants and people of colour.
Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
First case of rare monkeypox in the U.S. was someone who recently travelled to Canada
A rare case of monkeypox has been confirmed in a man in Massachusetts who recently travelled to Canada, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Prince Charles and Camilla wrap up Canada visit in Northwest Territories
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are spending the final day of the royal visit in Canada's North.
Trudeau says Ottawa watching Quebec's proposed changes to language law 'carefully'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is watching 'carefully' how Quebec's Bill 96 is playing out provincially and respects the freedom of members of Parliament to protest it.
Inflation could put more Canadians at risk of going hungry, experts say
Experts and advocates anticipate that more Canadians could be at risk of going hungry as inflation continues to outpace many consumers' grocery budgets.
Four things Canadians can do to save money on their groceries during inflation
With Statistics Canada reporting a 9.7 per cent increase in food costs over the last year, Canadians are being pushed to find ways to pinch pennies at the grocery stores. Here are some ways to save.
'Suffer in silence:' Experts worry of fallout from public reaction to Amber Heard's testimony
As Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard stretches into its fifth week, experts say public reaction to Heard's testimony sends a perilous reminder that despite the 'MeToo' movement, the credibility of alleged victims of abuse can be fragile.
Red Cross registers hundreds of Ukrainian POWs from Mariupol
The Russian military said Thursday that more Ukrainian fighters who were making a last stand in Mariupol have surrendered, bringing the total who have left their stronghold to 1,730, while the Red Cross said it had registered hundreds of them as prisoners of war.
Vancouver
-
B.C. small businesses face cost challenges as national inflation rate hits 31-year high
The rising cost of food, shelter, and other expenses pushed Canada's inflation rate to a 31-year high last month. People are paying a lot more for many basic needs than they were last year at this time, and small businesses are also struggling to manage higher prices for the goods they need to keep going.
-
With record gas prices in B.C., is it worth going to the U.S. to fill your tank?
Like B.C., Washington state is seeing record-high gas prices. But it's significantly cheaper to fuel up in Blaine than just across the border in Surrey.
-
SFU researcher develops new tech-savvy search and rescue system
PhD student Brennan Jones wants to lend a helping hand to the B.C. search and rescue volunteers he calls heroes.
Edmonton
-
Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
-
Battle of Alberta starts with a bang as Flames down Oilers 9-6 to open playoff series
Matthew Tkachuk scored a hat trick for the Calgary Flames in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Edmonton Oilers to open their NHL playoff series.
-
Where to watch the Battle of Alberta in Edmonton
If you want to watch the Battle of Alberta series with thousands of fans, you have a few options in Edmonton.
Toronto
-
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath tests positive for COVID-19
The leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party says she has tested positive for COVID-19.
-
Advance voting locations open in Ontario as leaders fan out across the province
Advance voting locations open today in Ontario as party leaders fan out across the province to pitch voters on their platforms.
-
Toronto Councillor Ana Bailão not seeking re-election in October
After 12 years in office, Toronto City Councillor Ana Bailão will not be seeking re-election in October.
Calgary
-
Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
-
Battle of Alberta starts with a bang as Flames down Oilers 9-6 to open playoff series
Matthew Tkachuk scored a hat trick for the Calgary Flames in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Edmonton Oilers to open their NHL playoff series.
-
Possible contenders for UCP leader waste little time after Kenney resignation
Even as the smoke cleared from the shocking resignation of Jason Kenney Wednesday evening, several of his challengers were sending out Zoom invites amid hints of leadership campaigns to replace him.
Montreal
-
Monkeypox in Montreal: Public health to provide an update
Montreal Public Health is slated to give an update about several suspected cases of monkeypox in the city.
-
5 reasons Quebec's language law reform is stirring controversy
The government says Bill 96 is a moderate reform that will improve protection for French while preserving English services.
-
Environment Canada warns of coastal flooding risk in Quebec City
Water levels are being monitored in the Quebec City area after Environment Canada issued a storm surge warning for several areas.
Atlantic
-
Chantel Moore shot by N.B. police officer in chest, abdomen and leg, inquest hears
Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old Indigenous woman killed by police in New Brunswick in June 2020, was shot twice in the chest, once in the abdomen and once in her left leg, the pathologist who conducted an autopsy on her said Wednesday.
-
Former RCMP staff sergeant describes spotty radio, lack of resources in N.S. shooting
A Mountie who led much of the response to the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting testified Wednesday that spotty radio service and the lack of an RCMP helicopter were among the equipment problems that hampered the manhunt.
-
Halifax police release identity of 37-year-old stabbing victim
Halifax Regional Police have released the identity of a woman who died after she was stabbed early Tuesday morning.
Winnipeg
-
CFL, CFL Players' Association reach tentative collective agreement
The second strike in CFL history is over. The CFL confirmed Wednesday night that it and the CFL Players' Association reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement.
-
'Kindness and innocence': Parents remember daughter killed in crash with alleged drunk driver
The parents of a 24-year-old woman killed in a crash involving an alleged drunk driver earlier this month are remembering their daughter for her kindness and willingness to help others.
-
Assistance needed to identify Winnipeg woman hit and killed by vehicle
The Winnipeg Police Service is asking for the public’s help to identify a woman who was hit and killed by a vehicle late Tuesday night.
Kitchener
-
'Somebody out there is missing this child': Remains of young girl found in water in Dunnville, Ont.
Provincial police announced Wednesday the human remains found in the water in Dunnville, Ont., the day before are that of a young girl.
-
Assault charges withdrawn against Kitchener teacher accused of taping students
The woman was charged with two counts of assault in November after an investigation into “allegations she taped two children with masking tape while in the classroom,” Waterloo regional police said at the time.
-
All aboard! Retiree buys 'cheapest home in the GTA' -- a caboose
No bedroom, no bathroom, no kitchen. Why one retiree decided to buy -- and live -- in a caboose.
Regina
-
Riders preseason game to be moved following tentative CFL deal: TSN
According to TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor, a preseason game scheduled for May 23 between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be moved.
-
MLA removed from Sask. legislature during heated session
Nadine Wilson, the Independent MLA of Saskatchewan Rivers, was removed from the Saskatchewan legislature after refusing to apologize for comments made towards the government, following Wednesday’s fierce Question Period session.
-
'It was surreal': Sask. residents witness province’s first tornado of 2022
Environment Canada has confirmed the first tornado in Saskatchewan touched down Tuesday night near Keeler, about 50 kilometres north of Moose Jaw.
Barrie
-
Barrie's advance polls open
Advance polls in Barrie's two provincial ridings are open today until May 28.
-
Paul Sadlon testifies in sexual assault trial
Paul Sadlon took the stand in a Barrie courtroom Wednesday to deny allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman after a business meeting in 2019.
-
Mixed reviews over proposed short-term rental bylaw
Tiny Township is bringing in regulations to deal with the ever-growing popularity of short-term rentals, but not everyone is pleased with the solution.
Saskatoon
-
Brother of alleged Sask. group home sexual assault victim worries his days were 'filled with dread'
A man whose brother lived in a group home in Hepburn, Sask. and was allegedly abused by a worker is speaking out.
-
An Epic Alliance investor thought they owned a home with a tenant — it had actually burned down
Following the collapse of Epic Alliance, one investor learned they were the landlord of a property that no longer existed.
-
Statue of Indigenous hockey icon Fred Sasakamoose unveiled in Saskatoon
A statue of Indigenous hockey trailblazer Fred Sasakamoose was unveiled outside SaskTel Centre on Wednesday.
Northern Ontario
-
Poilievre faces backlash for comments on Jordan Peterson podcast
Some are calling attention to a comment about 'Anglo-Saxon words' that Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre made while appearing as a guest on controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson’s podcast. The term has been used by those on the far-right to differentiate white people from immigrants and people of colour.
-
'Tasteless' poster at LaSalle high school taken down following concern from parents
A LaSalle mom is expressing concern online over a “tasteless” poster in a classroom at her daughter’s school.
-
Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.