Vancouver Island adds 88 new COVID-19 cases; active cases surpass 600
B.C. health officials have identified 88 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region Thursday.
The new cases were among 368 cases found across the province over the past 24 hours.
There are currently 3,020 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., according to a statement from the Health Ministry, including 602 active cases in the Vancouver Island region.
Island Health has the second-highest number of active cases in the province, behind Fraser Health, where 1,003 cases are active Thursday, health officials say.
Island Health data identified the locations of 524 of the active cases Thursday, including 122 in the South Island, 221 in the Central Island and 181 in the North Island.
Five COVID-19-related deaths were reported in the province Thursday. Three deaths occurred in Fraser Health and two were reported in Northern Health.
Since the pandemic began, 2,345 people have died of the illness in B.C., including 122 deaths reported in the Island Health region.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, 49 people are currently in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, including 15 patients who require critical care.
As of Thursday, 85 per cent of British Columbians aged five and older have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 81.8 per cent have received two doses.
Between Nov. 24 and 30, people who are not vaccinated made up 54 per cent of the province's new cases, despite making up less than 16 per cent of the province's population above the age of five.
From Nov. 17 to 30, people who are not vaccinated also made up 64.5 per cent of hospitalizations related to COVID-19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.