B.C. COVID-19 hospitalization rate decrease slows; 13 more deaths recorded

VICTORIA — Thirteen more people have died of COVID-19 in B.C. Thursday (Mar. 3).

The latest surveillance report from the province’s Ministry of Health shows three of the 13 deaths in Interior Health. The overall death toll in B.C.is 2,896 since the pandemic began.

Hospitalizations from the virus continue to decrease, but the rate of decrease has slowed. For the second straight day, the hospitalization total is down by just six, to 511 Thursday. There are 79 patients in intensive care, an increase of six from Wednesday.

The province received 391 positive test reports Thursday, including an even 100 in Interior Health.

There are 21 active healthcare facility outbreaks in B.C., including ongoing outbreaks at Ponderosa Lodge and Overlander Residential Care in Kamloops.

Vaccination rates:

• First dose for those five and older — 90.6 per cent
• Second dose for those five and older — 86.3 per cent
• Third dose for those 12 and older — 55.9 per cent