COVID-19: Hospitalization up slightly across B.C.

VICTORIA — A rare occurrence noted by B.C.’s Ministry of Health Wednesday afternoon (Mar. 23) — hospitalization due to COVID-19 is up.

According to the latest surveillance report, there are 258 people in hospital with the virus, up by four from Tuesday. Forty-nine patients are in intensive care, an increase of one.

One new death was reported in Northern Health, bringing the province’s COVID-19 death toll to 2,975.

There are five active COVID-19 outbreaks in B.C., including Hillside Village in Salmon Arm, which is the only active outbreak in Interior Health.

There were 269 new positive tests reported Wednesday, with 73 in Interior Health.

Vaccination rates:

• First dose — age five and older: 90.8 per cent
• Second dose — age five and older: 87.1 per cent
• Third dose — age 12 and older: 57.1 per cent