Skip to Main content

25.02°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Sep 8, 2023 7:28 PM - The Canadian Press

COVID-19 numbers spike in B.C., 241 patients admitted to hospitals

Share On

covid-19-numbers-spike-in-b-c-241-patients-admitted-to-hospitals

The centre says the number of deaths rose from eight in the first week of the reporting period to 15, then dipped to 12.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

British Columbia is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 numbers, with cases, test positivity, hospitalizations and deaths all up in recent weeks.

The BC Centre for Disease Control says in a monthly report that 447 people tested positive in tests funded by the province's medical services plan in the week ending Sept. 2, more than triple the 133 cases in the week ending Aug. 12.

Positivity doubled to about 18 per cent in the same period.

The increase in COVID-19 numbers comes after the detection of Canada's first known case of the BA. 2.86 variant last month in B.C., but the centre says that remains the province's only known case of the new strain.

On Sept. 7, a total of 241 people with COVID-19 were in hospital across the province, with weekly admissions spiking from 95 in the week ending Aug. 12 to 136 two weeks later, before dipping to 119 new cases.

The centre says the number of deaths rose from eight in the first week of the reporting period to 15, then dipped to 12.

Over the past four weeks, four COVID-19 outbreaks were reported in acute care facilities and one outbreak was reported in a long-term care facility.

Latest news

CanadaAug 25, 2026

Dingell Slams Trump Over Strained Canada-U.S. Relations, Urges Resumption of Talks

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s policies amid worsening relations between Canada and the United States, saying it is an extremely disappointing time for the country when the president appears more comfortable strengthening ties with dictators than talking to one of America’s closest friends and allies. Dingell said Canada and the United States share the world’s longest international border and are connected by generations of friendship, family ties, democratic values and the geography of the Great Lakes. Her comments come

wildfire-threat-eases-in-b-c-as-major-fires-drop-to-just-three

Wildfire Threat Eases in B.C. as Major Fires Drop to Just Three

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Brunswick Creek wildfire in the Fraser Canyon area is no longer considered a wildfire of note, after the threat posed by the blaze eased. The fire has now been removed from the province’s wildfire-of-note list, leaving just three major wildfires in B.C. The agency said, however, that firefighters are still working to fully contain the fire on the west side of the Fraser River. Meanwhile, the Ansley Creek wildfire on the east side of the river remains out of control and is one of the three remaining major wildfires in the province. The Bald Range wi

Drug Toxicity Crisis in B.C.: 138 Deaths Reported in June 2026

Suspected unregulated drug toxicity claimed 138 lives in British Columbia in June 2026, according to preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service. That works out to approximately 4.6 deaths per day. During the first six months of 2026, people between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of all drug-toxicity deaths in the province, while 75% of those who died were male. The Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities recorded the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths in 2026, with 206 and 200 deaths respectively. Together, they accounted for 52% of all such deaths in the province.

sukhbir-badal-pays-obeisance-at-takht-damdama-sahib-after-nanded-attack

IndiaAug 25, 2026

Sukhbir Badal Pays Obeisance at Takht Damdama Sahib After Nanded Attack

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday paid obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda district, nearly two weeks after surviving a life-threatening attack in Nanded, Maharashtra. He was accompanied by his wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and senior party leaders. A large number of Akali workers gathered at the religious shrine to welcome him. Speaking to reporters after paying obeisance, Sukhbir Badal alleged that certain forces were working to weaken Punjab and Sikh leadership and disturb peace and communal harmony in the state. He said the Shiroma

mélanie-joly-urges-canadians-to-buy-canadian-made-products-amid-escalating-trade-war

CanadaAug 25, 2026

Mélanie Joly Urges Canadians to Buy Canadian-Made Products Amid Escalating Trade War

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has strongly urged Canadians to buy Canadian-made products as the trade war with the United States continues to escalate. Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa alongside other federal ministers, Joly said government officials have been working with retailers to make it easier for consumers to identify Canadian-made products in the marketplace. Joly said that when Canadians choose Canadian goods, they are not only putting pressure on the United States but also helping protect jobs in Canada. She described the effort as a “movement of resistance.?

Related News

Wildfire Threat Eases in B.C. as Major Fires Drop to Just Three

Wildfire Threat Eases in B.C. as Major Fires Drop to Just Three

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Brunswick Creek wildfire in the Fraser Canyon area is no longer considered a wildfire of note, after the threat posed by the blaze eased. The fire has now been removed from the province’s wildfire-of-note list, leaving just three major wildfires in B.C. The agency said, however, that firefighters are still working to fully contain the fire on the west side of the Fraser River. Meanwhile, the Ansley Creek wildfire on the east side of the river remains out of control and is one of the three remaining major wildfires in the province. The Bald Range wi

Drug Toxicity Crisis in B.C.: 138 Deaths Reported in June 2026

Drug Toxicity Crisis in B.C.: 138 Deaths Reported in June 2026

Suspected unregulated drug toxicity claimed 138 lives in British Columbia in June 2026, according to preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service. That works out to approximately 4.6 deaths per day. During the first six months of 2026, people between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of all drug-toxicity deaths in the province, while 75% of those who died were male. The Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities recorded the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths in 2026, with 206 and 200 deaths respectively. Together, they accounted for 52% of all such deaths in the province.

Surrey Man Charged After Alleged Iron Rod Attack on Security Guard in Vancouver

Surrey Man Charged After Alleged Iron Rod Attack on Security Guard in Vancouver

A 41-year-old Surrey man has been charged after allegedly attacking a security guard with an iron rod at a downtown Vancouver parking garage. According to Vancouver police, the incident happened around 4:15 a.m. Saturday near Cambie and Dunsmuir streets. Police said the security guard was conducting a routine patrol when he found a man sleeping inside the parking garage and asked him to leave. The suspect allegedly pulled out a small iron rod and began swinging it at the guard. He also allegedly damaged the guard’s vehicle and later followed the guard while he was riding a bicycle. Police re

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital