More than 500 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C., ICU number rises

B.C.'s vaccine supply getting a booster shot starting next week. A steady stream of Pfizer doses with some Johnson & Johnson added to the mix means the pace of vaccinations are going to pick up for age-based and priority shots. Liza Yuzda with more.

Editor’s note: The number of new COVID-19 cases recorded in B.C. in the past day has been updated, as the previous figure was only preliminary.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There was a slight drop in the number of people in B.C. hospitals with COVID-19, but it remains near the highest level since the start of the pandemic.

On Thursday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said there are 503 people hospitalized with the virus, including 178 who are in intensive care. The number of patients in the ICU rose by seven, compared to the 171 reported the day before.

“The number of people in hospital is at the highest levels that we have seen in these past few days, and people requiring specialized acute critical care is the highest ever,” Henry said.

The province has recorded 853 new COVID-19 cases, for a total of 128,742 since the pandemic began.

There was one death in the past day, marking the 1,577th in B.C.

On the vaccine front, 1,749,375 doses have been administered so far, including 90,296 that are second doses.

“We are in a tug of war with COVID-19,” Henry said, acknowledging that people are feeling tired and frustrated with the pandemic.

She urged British Columbians to abide by provincial health orders.

“We need to dig in our heels … We need to hold the line. Take the simple steps of sticking with our layers of protection, staying small, staying local and following all of the orders in place and get the vaccine.”

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