Island Health records 2 new COVID-19 deaths as cases continue to soar
Over the past 24 hours, six COVID-19-related deaths were reported in B.C., including two in Island Health, the Health Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
Two others occurred in Fraser Health, one was confirmed in Vancouver Coastal Health and one was reported in Northern Health.
Since the pandemic began, 2,455 people have died of COVID-19 in B.C., including 149 in the Island Health region.
The number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 on Vancouver Island remains unchanged over the last 24 hours, with 65 patients in hospital, 11 of whom require critical care.
Wednesday's total represents a small increase in hospitalizations from a week ago, when 61 people were in hospital, but a small decrease in critical care patients, of which there were 14 on Jan. 5.
This time last month, 33 people were in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, including 12 patients in critical care, according to BCCDC data from Dec. 13.
Hospitalizations:
- Jan. 12 (65)
- Jan. 11 (65)
- Jan. 5 (61)
- Dec. 13 (33)
ICU patients:
- Jan. 12 (11)
- Jan. 11 (11)
- Jan. 5 (14)
- Dec. 13 (12)
Health officials say 2,859 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed across the province Wednesday, including 451 cases in the island region.
However, confirmed cases are just a small portion of the larger picture, experts say, with many more cases suspected but not confirmed due to testing capacity limits.
As of Wednesday, the province has confirmed 36,641 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including 4,245 active cases in the Island Health region.
Approximately 88.9 per cent of eligible British Columbians have now received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 83.2 per cent have received two doses.
Meanwhile, 29.9 per cent of B.C. residents have received three doses of vaccine, according to the Health Ministry.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.