B.C. reports 44 COVID-19 deaths over the long weekend, hospitalizations dip below 700

VICTORIA — COVID-19 hospitalizations have dipped below 700 in B.C.

The Ministry of Health reports 688 patients in hospital with COVID-19 for Tuesday (Feb. 22), down by 45 since Friday. Of those patients, 108 are in intensive care, a decrease of five.

In the past four days, 44 new COVID-19 related deaths were reported – seven in Interior Health – for a provincial total of 2,830.

There are 2,103 new reported COVID-19 cases over the past four days, with 610 of them in Interior Health. The four-day breakdown is as follows:

• Feb. 18 to 19: 631 new cases
• Feb. 19 to 20: 571 new cases
• Feb. 20 to 21: 424 new cases
• Feb. 21 to 22: 477 new cases

There are 31 active COVID-19 outbreaks in B.C. health care facilities, including Ponderosa Lodge and Overlander Residential Care in Kamloops, and Hillside Village in Salmon Arm.

As of Tuesday, 90.5 per cent (4,512,730) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while and 85.9 per cent (4,282,333) have received their second.

Additionally, 54.9 per cent (2,542,724) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received a third dose.