Hospitalizations rise as B.C. continues to battle fourth wave of COVID-19

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — B.C.’s COVID-19 daily numbers remain high, with 501 new cases reported Tuesday as the province continues to feel the impacts of the Delta variant.

The Interior Health region remains the hot spot among infections, with 205 new cases. Fraser Health has the second highest number of cases, with 139.

There were 92 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 35 in Northern Health, and two new cases in people who reside outside of Canada.

There was one new death, in the Island Health region, which saw 28 new cases.

Hospitalization numbers climbed again Tuesday, with 111 people now in hospital, an increase over Monday.

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Among them, 51 people are in the intensive care units, an increase of four patients in the last 24 hours.

B.C.’s vaccination rates are showing some minimal growth.

Last week, 82.1 per cent of eligible British Columbians had received their first dose. On Tuesday, that number now stands at 83.5 per cent.

The number of fully vaccinated people aged 12 and older is at 73.5 per cent, or more than 3.4 million people.

The province outlined that more than 70 per cent of the population 18+ would need to have at least one dose in order to enter Stage 4 in the Restart Plan on Sept. 7.

That will mean a return to normal for personal gatherings and social contacts, as well as sport competitions.

B.C.’s top doctor has said that the province will be releasing more information regarding school COVID-19 policies in the coming days.

There are no new health-care facility outbreaks, the number remains at 10 which includes the Kin Village West Court and the Evergreen Baptist Care Society.