B.C.’s Covid hospitalizations at ‘alarming’ levels as cases rise

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Hospitalizations due to Covid-19 set another record Thursday with 502, while 161 patients were in critical or intensive care, which was down slightly from Wednesday.

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There were four new Covid-related deaths for total of 1,550. Health Minister Adrian Dix said two of deaths were in Interior Health with one each in the Fraser and Island Health regions.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry called the hospital numbers “alarming.”

“The pressure on our health care system is immense right now and our health care workers need our help.They are still there for us, and have been for the last 15 months,” Henry told Thursday’s provincial update.

Despite that, Henry stressed that people should not hesitate to use their hospitals and emergency departments.

“Our hospitals continue to be safe, and it’s important to go to hospital if you have a condition that needs care,” Henry stated.

To date, 1,500,430 Covid vaccine doses have been administered, amounting to 32 per cent of those eligible, with 88,475 second doses.

People 25 and older can register for a shot s of today, while on Friday, anyone 18 and older can register at the Get Vaccinated site.

Dr. Henry said bookings for vaccine appointments for people 60 and older will start tonight.

On Friday, public safety minister Mike Farnworth will share details of the new travel measures that are aimed at preventing spread of the virus.