COVID-19 in B.C.: 6 more deaths as ICU admissions drop to seven-month low

Six more deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 in B.C. over the last 24 hours, according to the provincial Ministry of Health.

Six more deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 in B.C. over the last 24 hours, according to the provincial Ministry of Health.

The latest deaths came alongside a slight increase in hospitalizations, while the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units fell to its lowest level in more than seven months.

There were 276 test-positive COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals on Wednesday, up three from the day before, but still down from the 288 seen on Monday.

Hospitalization numbers in B.C. reflect a "census" of all patients with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of whether the coronavirus was the original reason for their admission to hospital.

Health officials have previously estimated that these "incidental" hospitalizations account for roughly 45 per cent of the total.

As of Wednesday, there were 43 COVID-19 patients in ICUs in B.C., down from 46 on Tuesday. The last time there were fewer than 43 coronavirus patients in B.C. ICUs was Aug. 14.

Of the six deaths reported Wednesday, three were in Northern Health, while the Interior, Fraser and Island health authorities saw one apiece.