COVID-19: B.C. hospitalization total dips below 300

VICTORIA — Hospitalization due to COVID-19 in B.C. has dropped below 300.

According to the latest surveillance report provided by the province’s Ministry of Health, there are 298 people in hospital Thursday (Mar. 17), a decrease of 31 from Wednesday. There are 49 patients in intensive care, down by two from Wednesday.

Seven more people have died of the virus, raising the B.C. death toll to 2,960. None of Thursday’s deaths occurred in Interior Health.

The province received reports of 240 new positive tests, including 66 in Interior Health.

There are eight COVID-19 outbreaks in B.C. healthcare facilities, including at Ponderosa Lodge in Kamloops and Hillside Village in Salmon Arm.

Vaccination rates:

• First dose — age five and older: 90.8 per cent
• Second dose — age five and older: 86.9 per cent
• Third dose — age 12 and older: 56.8 per cent

For the week of March 9 to 15, 16.5 per cent of those hospitalized with COVID-19 were not fully vaccinated.