COVID-19 update: B.C. reports 18 deaths as hospitalizations drop below 1,000

The B.C. government announced 18 new deaths related to COVID-19 on Wednesday, as the number of test-positive patients in hospital dropped below 1,000.

The B.C. government announced 18 new deaths related to COVID-19 on Wednesday, as the number of test-positive patients in hospital dropped below 1,000.

There have now been 2,643 coronavirus-related deaths confirmed across the province since the start of the pandemic, according to the Ministry of Health.

Seven of the latest deaths were recorded in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, six were in the Island Health region, four were in the Fraser Health region and one was in the Interior Health region.

Meanwhile, the number of patients with COVID-19 dropped to 988, down from 1,035 on Tuesday. That includes incidental patients who were hospitalized for reasons unrelated to the disease, but tested positive during routine screening.

The number of patients in intensive care also fell slightly, to 136.

Earlier this week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry revealed the majority of vaccinated Omicron patients fall into the incidental category. Unvaccinated Omicron patients were slightly more likely to be hospitalized for reasons related to COVID-19 than not.

Henry also said COVID-19 hospital admissions appear to have peaked, following the downward trend in confirmed cases that began weeks ago.