Vancouver Island reports 475 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths
B.C. health officials have confirmed 475 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region Friday.
The new cases were among 3,144 cases found across the province over the past 24 hours.
There are now 33,184 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including a record-setting 3,906 active cases in the Island Health region, according to a statement from the Health Ministry.
Fifty-nine people are currently in hospital for treatment of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, including 13 patients in critical care, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
Nine deaths related to COVID-19 were reported in the province Friday, including two in the island region.
Since the pandemic began, 2,439 people have died of COVID-19 in B.C., including 147 in the Island Health region.
B.C. VACCINE UPDATE
As of Friday, 88.5 per cent of eligible British Columbians aged five and older have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 83.1 per cent have received two doses.
Across the province, 25.2 per cent of eligible B.C. residents have received three doses of vaccine Friday.
Over the last week, people who are fully vaccinated accounted for most new cases of COVID-19 in the province.
According to the Ministry of Health, fully vaccinated people made up 82.8 per cent of confirmed cases in B.C. between Dec. 30 and Jan. 5.
Meanwhile, people who are not fully vaccinated accounted for 17.1 per cent of cases over the same period.
However, health officials say that vaccination, in general, protects people from severe illness when they are infected with COVID-19.
Speaking at a live update Friday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said "the illness is very mild" for people who are fully vaccinated.
She also reiterated that the isolation period for people who are fully vaccinated has been brought down to five days, instead of seven, so long as they are no longer feeling symptoms and do not have a fever.
"If you have those mild symptoms, whether it’s a runny nose or cough, and you've been out in connection with other people, it's very likely you have COVID," she said.
"What you need to do is stay at home and stay away from other people."
At the same briefing, Health Minister Adrian Dix said test positivity rates were high but stable in B.C.
He said test positivity was about 24 per cent over the past week, up from roughly three percent in early December.
BACK TO SCHOOL
B.C. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside joined health officials for a live update on students' return to the K-12 system on Monday.
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside said that several additional health measures are in place, such as mandatory mask use and staggered class times, to limit the spread of COVID-19 at schools.
Another shipment of COVID-19 rapid tests is also expected to arrive in B.C. next week, and health officials say many of those test kits will be reserved for teachers and staff at schools.
B.C.'s top doctor also announced a new health order Friday that requires businesses to implement COVID-19 safety plans, similar to what was required in the early days of the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.