Intensive care COVID-19 patients surpass 100, hospitalizations increase again

VICTORIA — The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care has increased B.C Tuesday (Jan. 18).

The Ministry of Health reports 112 intensive care cases for Tuesday, up by 13 since Monday (Jan. 17). Hospitalizations also increased to 854 (up by 35).

Between Jan. 3 and 16, B.C. reported 796 COVID-19 hospitalizations. The fully vaccinated population accounted for 539 of those (67.7 per cent), the unvaccinated 215 (27 per cent), and the partially vaccinated 42 (5.3 per cent).

However, per 100,000 population adjusting for age, 52.3 patients were unvaccinated, 34.1 were partially vaccinated, and 11.6 were fully vaccinated.

In the past 24 hours, two new deaths were reported in Fraser Health, for a provincial total of 2,492.

Nine new COVID-19 outbreaks were declared at healthcare facilities, including Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna. There are 53 active outbreaks, including Brocklehurst Gemstone in Kamloops.

B.C. reported 1,975 new COVID-19 cases for Tuesday, with 478 of them in Interior Health. Although the province notes the number of new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh.

Reported active cases increased to 37,167 in the province (up by 1,182) and 5,580 in Interior Health (up by 388).

Additionally, 34.3 per cent of British Columbians 12 and older (1,591,505) have received a third dose.