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B.C. COVID-19 single-day case count snapped, Northern Health adds another 35

Provincial death toll rises to 395
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
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B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (via The Canadian Press)

At a rare Friday afternoon (Nov. 27) media availability, the concern of B.C.'s dire COVID-19 numbers showed on Dr. Bonnie Henry's face. 

She revealed another 911 new cases in the past day for an updated provincial total of 30,884 since the pandemic struck in January. 

Of those, Northern Health tallied 35 cases, which now brings the region's recorded number to 772 since March. 

There are 7,899 people listed as active for COVID-19 throughout the province, 301 of whom are in hospital with 69 in critical care. 

Another 11 have died from the virus, which brings the fatality rate total to 395.

Henry adds 10,430 people are under active public health monitoring due to exposure to someone with COVID-19 while 20,304 have recovered.

The region has seen a flurry of COVID-19 activity in the past two days. 

Yesterday (Nov. 26), five schools in Northern Health were flagged for COVID-19 exposure. Prince George's Peden Hill Elementary was added for a second time.

Another four schools were flagged today including Prince George Secondary, Beaverly Elementary and Foothills Elementary. 

The full exposure list, as of publication, for the region is as follows: 

  • Beaverly Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23-24, 2020
  • Foothills Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23, 2020
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Nov. 20, 2020; Oct. 2, 2020
  • Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Nov. 19-20, 2020
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 19, 2020
  • Peden Hill Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 17-20, 2020
  • Energetic Learning Campus - Fort St. John (SD60) - Nov. 16-20, 2020
  • Dawson Creek Secondary School - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Nov. 16-18, 2020; Sept. 23-25, 2020
  • Charlie Lake Elementary School (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 2020
  • William Konkin Elementary School (SD91) - Nov. 16, 2020
  • Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Nov. 16, 2020
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12, 13, 16, 2020
  • Chetwynd Secondary (SD59) - Nov. 13, 2020
  • Van Bien Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 9-10, 2020
  • Ron Brent Elementary (SD57) - Oct. 30, 2020
  • Hudson's Hope Elementary-Junior Secondary (SD60) - Oct. 26-Nov. 4, 2020
  • Immaculate Conception School (Diocese of Prince George) - Oct. 21-23, 2020
  • Roosevelt Park Elementary (SD52) - Oct. 21-22, 2020
  • Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Oct. 15-16, 2020
  • Notre Dame School (Private) - Oct. 13-14, 2020
  • David Hoy Elementary (SD91) - Sept. 17-18, 2020
  • Quesnel Junior Secondary (SD28) - Sept. 10-11, 15-18, 2020
  • Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Sept. 16-18, 2020
  • Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Sept. 10-11, 2020

This morning, two large retailers in Prince George, Real Canadian Superstore and Canadian Tire, both confirmed to PrinceGeorgeMatters they each had team members test positive for the virus. 

On Wednesday (Nov. 25), the College Heights Tim Hortons location also confirmed an employee has tested positive, which prompted the closure of its restaurant until Dec. 1 for extra cleaning. 

The increase in the frequency of cases and the rate of transmission has caused Northern Health to once again issue a statement today (Nov. 27) asking residents to obey the restrictions and guidelines that Dr. Henry has put into effect throughout B.C.

The restrictions are scheduled to end on Dec. 7 but could be extended should COVID-19 cases in B.C. continue to soar. 

"Northern Health, on behalf of our staff and physicians, is reminding residents to adhere to the new provincial health orders and guidelines as we experience growing COVID-19 activity," the announcement reads. 

"With more frequent cases and clusters, as well as increasing hospitalizations, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued strong orders and guidelines in an effort to address the surge in cases.

"The North is not exempt from the increase in COVID-19 activity and hospitalization rates, and we want to reinforce Dr. Henry's call to act appropriately." 

The authority says they need community support, responsibility and accountability in limiting the spread of the virus including: 

  • No social gatherings of any size
  • Wearing a mask in indoor public spaces
  • No non-essential travel
  • Staying home if you are sick

If anyone experiences possible COVID-19 symptoms, Northern Health asks that people self-isolate and contact your primary care provider. 

You can also contact the Northern Health COVID-19 Online Clinic and Information Line at 1-844-645-7811. 

Also this afternoon, the authority announced two additional COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at the LNG Canada Project Site in Kitimat, bringing the total to 43. 

Northern Health originally declared an outbreak at the site on Nov. 19 after 14 employees tested positive for the virus.

“Northern Health, LNG Canada, and JGC Fluor have been working together on planning, preparing and implementing COVID-19 measures since early spring and continue to work closely to ensure enhanced control measures are followed, to protect the health of all staff,” a news release states from Nov. 19. 

“Northern Health is working with the BCCDC to ensure communication with the health authorities or jurisdictions of the affected employees’ home communities.”

Four days ago, on Nov. 23, the authority announced there were 41 confirmed cases, of which 34 were listed active. 

“All of these cases are considered to be associated with this outbreak and occurred in the same general work location,” Northern Health said, noting the outbreak will remain in place for a minimum of 28 days from the start.

Following today's (Nov. 27) update, 34 of the 43 total cases remain active, nine have recovered and another 17 people are in self-isolation at the project site.

The remaining individuals are in isolation in their home communities. 

- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters