B.C. records 375 new cases of COVID-19 and 7 more deaths

B.C. health officials announced 375new cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths on Wednesday.

In a written statement, the provincial government said there are currently 2,936active cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in B.C.

A total of 301people are in hospital, with98in intensive care.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are down by 5.3per cent from last Wednesday, when 318people were in hospital with the disease and about 31 per cent from a month ago when 436 people were in hospital.

The number of patients in intensive care is down by about 10per cent from 109 a week ago and by 30per cent from last month when 140people were in the ICU.

The provincial death toll from COVID-19 is now 2,340 lives lost out of 218,801 confirmed cases to date.

The regional breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• 98new cases in Fraser Health, which has 994total active cases.
• 76new cases in Island Health, which has 569 total active cases.
• 70new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, which has 476 total active cases.
• 69new cases in Interior Health, which has 537total active cases.
• 62new cases in Northern Health, which has 360 total active cases.
• There are nonew cases among people who reside outside of Canada, a group which has zerototal active cases.

There are a total of fiveactive outbreaks in assisted living, long-term, and acute care facilities.

Acute care outbreaksinclude:

• Ridge Meadows Hospital
• St. Paul's Hospital

As of Wednesday, 91.2 per cent of those 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccine, 87.9 per cent asecond dose, and nine per cent a third dose.

When taking into accountthose five and older, 84.8 per cent of people in B.C. had received a first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine and 81.7 per cent a second dose.

From Nov. 23 to 29, people who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 58.2per cent of cases and from Nov. 16,they accounted for 68.1 per cent of hospitalizations, according to the province.

So far, 8.7million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including over fourmillion second doses.

Omicron in B.C.

Health officials confirmed Tuesday that the province has identified its first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant.

The case was found in a person residing in the Fraser Health region, who had recently returned home from travelling in Nigeria. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said that person is isolating.

Canada has expanded the number of countries with travel restrictions to 10.

On Tuesday, the federal government announcedincoming air travellers from all countries except the United Stateswill be required to take COVID-19 testswhen arriving in Canada, regardless of their vaccination status.Incoming travellers will have to self isolate until they receive results of the test.

The omicron variant has also been foundin Alberta, Quebec and Ontario.