B.C. reaches 25-week high for COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of infectious COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals has reached a 25-week high, according to Tuesday's update from the province.

The number of infectious COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals has reached a 25-week high, according to Tuesday's update from the province.

There are now 445 hospitalized coronavirus patients across British Columbia – the most there have been since May 9 – with 137 of them in critical care.

The Ministry of Health also announced 406 new cases of COVID-19 and five related deaths, leaving the province's seven-day average for infections at 532 per day, and the seven-day average for fatalities at 7.86 per day.

Another 373 people also recovered, putting the province's active caseload at 4,694, a slight increase from Monday.

The unvaccinated, who make up less than 20 per cent of B.C.'s overall population, continue to be over-represented in cases, hospitalizations and ICU visits, according to the ministry.

Over the last week, people without a single dose of vaccine made up 58.9 per cent of the province's 3,742 cases, while the fully vaccinated accounted for 35.6 per cent.

Likewise, over the past two weeks, the unvaccinated made up 66.9 per cent of COVID-19 patients in hospital, while the vaccinated accounted for 27.6 per cent.