COVID-19: Hospitalizations decrease, eight more deaths over the weekend

VICTORIA — The province is reporting another decrease in COVID-19 hospitalization over the weekend.

In its Monday (Mar. 21) surveillance report, the Ministry of Health says there are 271 people in B.C. hospitals with COVID-19, a decrease of 19 from Friday.

There are 49 people in intensive care, up by three over the weekend.

Of all those in hospital for the week of March 11 to 17, 16.8 per cent are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Eight more people have died of COVID-19, increasing the provincial death toll to 2,974. None of the newly reported deaths took place in Interior Health.

The province received 506 new positive test reports over the past three days, including 168 in Interior Health.

Vaccination rates:

• First dose — age five and older: 90.8 per cent
• Second dose — age five and older: 87.0 per cent
• Third dose — age 12 and older: 57.0 per cent