Listen Live

Omicron wave may have peaked but hospital numbers still rising

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer says there are “early” signs COVID-19’s fifth wave may have peaked. 

Dr. Theresa Tam says since last Friday’s modelling update, daily case counts, test positivity, and wastewater surveillance trends have all been on the mend.

However, Tam says daily hospital and intensive care numbers are still going up fast and many hospitals across the country are under “intense strain”.

Over the past week an average of over 10,000 people with COVID-19 were being treated in hospitals each day, surpassing peak daily numbers for all previous waves of the pandemic,” she said. This includes over 1,100 people in intensive care units which Tam says is higher than all but the third wave’s peak.

Meanwhile, the debate continues whether the definition of fully vaccinated should be changed to include a booster shot. Tam commented on data from a recent CDC study showing significantly lower hospitalization rates among those with a booster shot.  

“I think it depends on the objectives of what the definitions are used for and a lot of it is in the jurisdiction of the provinces and territories but we will be discussing this going forwards once there has been more people having had the opportunity to access the booster doses,” She said. 

Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo added that what defines a booster dose can be tricky. He says a primary series of vaccinations, which is what is needed for full protection, can be two shots for some and three for others. That means that booster shot would actually be a fourth dose given six or so months after the primary series.

***with files from Mo Fahim

Continue Reading

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Report makes six recommendations on event safety after Lapu Lapu festival tragedy

A report commissioned by the B.C. government after a deadly attack at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver makes a number of recommendations to improve security at public events.

B.C. SPCA welcomes proposed ban on exotic cats

The B.C. SPCA is welcoming proposed regulations from the B.C. government to ban all exotic cat species. 

RCMP seeking two men after explosion outside MLA Bowinn Ma’s North Van office

RCMP have released images of two men they believe were involved in an explosion last month in North Vancouver, which damaged the front door of the building housing the constituency office of B.C. NDP MLA and cabinet minister Bowinn Ma.

Adam Bremner-Akins joins B.C. Greens leadership slate

The B.C. Greens have announced Adam Bremner-Akins from Port Coquitlam as the third and final candidate in the party’s leadership race.

Drought and strong winds challenging firefighters in B.C.’s northeast

The B.C. Wildfire Service has warned today's strong winds expected across much of the province could lead to more extreme wildfire activity.
- Advertisement -