Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 08, 2024 4 months, 2 weeks, 21 hours, 26 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: British Columbia is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, reaching levels not seen since January. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) released its latest monthly data, revealing 204 test-positive patients currently in provincial hospitals. This marks only the second time this year that hospitalizations have exceeded 200, with the first instance occurring in early January.
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COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach Record Highs in British Columbia
Rising Numbers Compared to Last Year
The current hospital census is more than double the number recorded at this time last year. In July 2022, the BCCDC reported only 96 COVID-19 patients receiving hospital care. The latest figures underscore the resurgence of the virus, with the BCCDC describing the severity indicators as "stable with moderate levels of virus circulation."
https://bccdc.shinyapps.io/respiratory_covid_sitrep/
Wastewater Data Indicates Increased Virus Circulation
According to the BCCDC, SARS-CoV-2 levels are elevated in most wastewater sites relative to April.
https://bccdc.shinyapps.io/respiratory_wastewater/
While testing rates have remained stable over the past six weeks, detections have notably increased, particularly among adults aged 60 and older. This data suggests that the virus is spreading more widely within the community, even if the overall number of tests has not significantly changed.
Incremental Rise in New Infections
During the most recent epidemiological week, spanning June 23 to 29, 435 new infections were identified through provincially funded, lab-based testing. This represents a slight increase from the preceding weeks in June, which saw 400, 404, and 417 lab-confirmed cases, respectively.
The percentage of tests returning positive results has also climbed, rising from 11.1 percent in the last week of May to 15.3 percent in the first week of June. The most recent week reported a positivity rate of 15.8 percent, indicating a growing presence of the virus in the population.
According to some local
COVID-19 News reports, locals are not even bothering to conduct their own home test using ATK test kits available from pharmacies as many are under the fallacy that COVID-19 is simply as mild as flu and are unaware of the long-term health risk it can cause.
Limited Testing and Reporting
It is important to note that the majority of people in B.C. do not qualify for lab-based tests and are thus not included in the BCCDC data unless they are hospitalized. The reported hospital population encompasses both those with severe COVID-19 cases requiring medical attention and those hospitalized for other reasons who incidentally test positive for the virus.
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COVID-19-Related Deaths
Since August 27, 2023, COVID-19 has been the underlying cause of at least 475 deaths in B.C. More than half of these deaths occurred in individuals over the age of 80, with a median age of 86. This highlights the ongoing vulnerability of the elderly population to severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Predominance of KP Variants
The current surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in B.C. is partly attributed to the predominance of KP variants such as KP.2, KP.3, and LB.1.
https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/Canada/AllSamples/Past6M
These variants have become the dominant strains circulating in Canada, with newer sub-lineages also emerging rapidly. The increased transmissibility and potential immune evasion of these variants contribute to the rising number of infections and hospitalizations.
Public Health Response
As the situation evolves, public health officials in B.C. continue to monitor the spread of the virus and adapt their strategies accordingly. Vaccination remains a key tool in mitigating the impact of COVID-19, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and adhere to recommended health measures, including wearing masks in crowded settings, practicing good hand hygiene, and staying informed about vaccination updates. By taking these precautions, residents can help reduce the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable members of the community.
Conclusion
The recent increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in British Columbia serves as a stark reminder that the pandemic is not over. With the predominance of KP variants and the ongoing emergence of new sub-lineages, it is crucial for individuals to remain cautious and for public health officials to continue their efforts in controlling the virus.
For the latest
COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-york-governor-warns-of-rising-covid-19-hospitalizations-in-the-state
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/greece-reports-rising-covid-19-hospitalizations-intubations-and-deaths
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