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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
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.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.