COVID-19: Eight deaths reported in past three days, rapid test kits available for age 30+

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BC health officials give the latest figures on newly confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries, vaccinations and more.

Here's your daily update with the latest COVID-19 case count and vaccination rates in BC
Here’s your daily update with the latest COVID-19 case count and vaccination rates in BC Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

British Columbia recorded eight deaths from COVID-19 in the three days since health officials last reported on Friday. A total of 2,974 people have died from the virus since the start of the pandemic.

A downward trend in hospitalizations continues, with 271 in hospital on Monday, a drop of 19 from the end of last week; 49 of those patients are in intensive care, which is up three from Friday.

There was one new outbreak reported at Selkirk Seniors Village in the Island Health region. There are currently eight outbreaks in acute and long-term care across the province.

The percentage of the eligible population (age five and over) who are now double vaccinated has edged over 87 per cent, while those who have also received a booster (age 12+) hit 57 per cent.

Over 23 per cent of those hospitalized with COVID-19 in the two weeks ending March 17 were unvaccinated, despite that group representing less than 10 per cent of the population.

Meanwhile, BC is making rapid antigen test kits available to people aged 30 and older.

People can pick up one five-test kit every four weeks from participating pharmacies at no cost. You need to present a personal health number, and if someone is picking one up on your behalf, your name, health number and date of birth must all be supplied.

Officials recommend you pick up a kit while asymptomatic to use in the future. Health guidelines still call for testing for COVID-19 only if you’re experiencing symptoms.

Almost 7.6 million tests have been distributed and 2.3 million have been given out by 1,300 pharmacies. In total, BC has distributed more than 30 million tests to high-priority populations as well as pharmacies.

Another 2.5 million tests are expected from the federal government in the next few weeks.

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