B.C. reports 35 fewer people in hospital with COVID-19 and 1 more death

B.C. health officials reported 653 people in hospital with COVID-19 on Wednesday, including 108 in intensive care, as the province recorded one more death from the disease.

The new numbers represent adecreaseof 35COVID-19 patients hospitalized within the last 24 hours and the same number ofpatients in the ICU.

Overall hospitalizations, which typically lag behind spikes and dips in new cases, are down by 14.3per cent from last Wednesday, when 762 people were in hospital with the disease and down about 33.8 per cent from a month ago when 987people were in hospital.

Deaths also lag cases, with higher numbersa reflection of Omicron's surge last month.

The number of patients in intensive care is down by about 10.7per cent from 121a week ago and down by 16.2per cent from a month ago when 129people were in the ICU. There were also799 new cases reported Wednesday.

As of Wednesday,9.3 per cent of COVID-19 tests in B.C. are coming back positive, according to the province's COVID-19 dashboard.The number had been above 20 per cent though most of January but beganto fall this month, along with hospitalizations.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said thatanything above a five per cent test-positivity rateis an indicator of community transmission.

The provincialdeath toll from COVID-19is now 2,831lives lost out of 346,196confirmed cases to date.

There area total of 29 active outbreaks in assisted living, long-term, and acute care facilities. Two outbreaks were declared over by the province on Wednesday.

Acute care outbreaksinclude:

• Burnaby Hospital.
• Langley Memorial Hospital.

As of Wednesday,90.5per cent of those five and older in B.C. hadreceived their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccineand 86 per cent asecond dose.

From Feb. 15 to 21, people who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 20.4 per cent of cases and from Feb. 8 to 21,they accounted for 32.8 per cent of hospitalizations, according to the province.

A total of 2.5 million people have received a booster shot to date.

Pharmacies to provide free rapid tests

On Wednesday, health officials announced that rapid antigen tests would be made available at B.C. pharmacies, butonly those age70 and older will first have access.

The rollout of rapid tests is set to begin on Friday, withpacks containing five test kits distributed free of charge to those who are eligible and who need them.

A B.C. Services Card will be required to access rapid test packs. Officials noted that symptomatic people should still access testing at provincial testing sites, with the rapid tests for use later.

More age groups are set to receive access to the free rapid tests over the next three to four weeks, according to Health Minister Adrian Dix.

More than 865,000 tests have already been set aside to be distributed through pharmacies, officials said.

Residents are asked to check the B.C. Pharmacy Association websitefor a list of participating pharmacies this week.

COVID at the club

For the second time, Northern Health has ordered a Prince George nightclubto closefor defying public health mandates.

Videos shared on the Lambda Cabaret's social media accounts celebratedmaskless clubgoersas they dancedon the packed dance floor. Signs at the club doors stated staff werenot checking mandated vaccine passports.

The club has openly defied public health authorities for almost a month, fully reopening in early February despite provincewide pandemic orders closing clubs and bars that do not serve food.

Northern Health says the cabaret could face new fines and punishment for violatingthis new order,past orders, or continuing to operate in defiance of public healthauthorities.

The closure comes just days after the province once again allowed dancing in B.C. nightclubs, after nearly two years of being prohibited.

Public health officials announced onFeb. 16that capacity restrictions would be lifted, meaning clubs and dance studios could reopen.

According to theupdated provincial health order, people must still wear masks when they're not seated at a table, including when they are dancing, and proof of vaccination upon entry is required.