Vancouver Island adds 56 new COVID-19 cases in final update of the week
B.C. health officials identified another 56 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region Friday.
The cases were among 714 new cases found across the province over the past 24 hours.
There are currently 6,317 active cases of COVID-19 across B.C., including 614 active cases in the island region, according to the B.C. Health Ministry.
Island Health data identified the locations of 536 active cases Friday, including 286 in the South Island, 214 in the Central Island and 36 in the North Island.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, there are currently 33 people in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 in the Island Health region, 21 of whom require critical care.
Over the last 24 hours, 11 people died of COVID-19 in B.C. Four deaths were reported in the Fraser Health region, six deaths were recorded in the Interior Health region and one death was identified in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.
Since the pandemic began, 1,973 people have died of COVID-19 in B.C., including 70 deaths reported in the Island Health region.
As of Friday, 88 per cent of eligible British Columbians have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 81.1 per cent have received two doses.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
Earlier Friday, B.C. Attorney General and Minister for Housing, David Eby, announced that the province was creating 50 new COVID-19 isolation spaces for people who are homeless in Victoria.
The spaces will be added over the coming weeks, after clusters of COVID-19 cases were recorded in local housing facilities.
On Friday morning, health officials also announced that B.C. would be introducing mandatory masks for all students and staff members in the K-12 school system.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and B.C. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside made the announcement at a live new conference Friday morning, as the province sees a surge in COVID-19 cases among school-aged children.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.