Thirteen more deaths from COVID-19 in B.C.; hospitalizations hover below 1,000

VICTORIA — Thirteen more British Columbians have died of COVID-19.

The information is contained in the latest update on the virus released by B.C.’s Ministry of Health, issued Thursday (Jan. 3). The provincial death toll from COVID-19 is now 2,656.

Two of the newly-reported deaths took place in Interior Health.

Hospitalizations from the virus have dipped slightly to 985, three fewer than Wednesday. There are 145 patients with COVID-19 in intensive care, up by nine.

The ministry says 1,518 more people tested positive for the virus Thursday, including 431 in Interior Health.

Vaccination rates have reached 90 per cent for people five and older receiving their first dose and 84.2 per cent for those receiving their second dose. The rate of third dose vaccination for eligible residents aged 12 and older is 47.6 per cent.