Hospitals see more COVID-19 patients as new cases decline

Jan 14, 2022 | 4:50 PM Pete McIntyre

Active COVID-19 cases are down in British Columbia, but hospitalizations have taken a noted jump.

The Health Ministry’s Friday report shows 2,275 new infections in the province, down from the 2,554 on Thursday.

There are 35,943 active cases in B.C., down 106 from Thursday. Of the active cases, 646 COVID-positive individuals are in hospital (increase of 112) and 95 are in intensive care (decrease of 7).

The numbers solidified comments made by Dr. Bonnie Henry earlier today that Omicron case numbers have peaked in most parts of B.C. but hospitalizations will likely rise for another week or two as part of the virus’ normal time lag.

Interior Health reported 412 new cases, down 50 from Thursday, and 4,916 active cases, an increase of 34.

The other new/active cases include:

* 813 new cases in Fraser Health
* Total active cases: 17,256

* 523 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
* Total active cases: 9,397

* 227 new cases in Northern Health
* Total active cases: 1,346

* 297 new cases in Island Health
* Total active cases: 3,016

* three new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
* Total active cases: 12

Since Thursday, six more people have died of COVID-related issues for an overall total of 2,468. Two of the fatalities were in Interior Health, three in Fraser Health and one in Island Health.

There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Royal Jubilee Hospital (Island Health). The outbreaks at Czorny Alzheimer Centre, Fort Langley Seniors Community, The Residence in Mission, Dania Home, White Rock Seniors Village (Fraser Health), Fraserview Retirement Community, Lakeview Care Centre and Crofton Manor (Vancouver Coastal Health) have been declared over, for a total of 46 facilities with ongoing outbreaks.

From Jan. 6-12, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 21.5 per cent of cases. From Dec. 30 to Jan. 12, they accounted for 34.2 per cent of hospitalizations.

As of today, 89 per cent of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 83.3 per cent have had two doses, and 30.5 per cent of those 12 and older have got a third dose.