COVID-19: B.C. records 32 weekend deaths, hospitalizations rise slightly

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. has risen slightly since Friday, as the province recorded 32 new deaths.

Vancouver Coastal Health recorded the most deaths with 14. Nine people in Fraser Health died, while five people passed away in Island Health. Interior Health is reporting three deaths and Northern Health is reporting one.

There are 987 COVID patients in the hospital, up from 946 compared to three days ago. There are 141 people in intensive care, up from 139 on Friday.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said the vast majority of COVID-19 cases are the highly-transmissible Omicron variant.

Last week, Henry said the province could “very soon” look at easing restrictions. The current rules expire on Feb. 16.

WATCH: B.C. can ‘very soon’ look at easing COVID-19 restrictions, Henry says

When it comes to vaccinations, another 11,671 British Columbians aged five and up received their first dose over the weekend, bringing the provincial percentage up to 90.2 per cent. Meanwhile, 19,224 people received their second dose for a 84.6 per cent vaccination rate.

Among eligible adults, 52.9 per cent have received a third dose.

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There are 11 new COVID-19 outbreaks in B.C. health-care facilities for a total of 57.

The official weekend new case count stands at 3,287. However, the actual number of new infections is much higher, as eligibility for a test has been narrowed to exclude most people.