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B.C. records 11 more COVID-19 deaths while adding 624 cases, 47 in Northern Health

There are 419 active cases in the north, 20 in critical care
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
Dr. Bonnie Henry - Dec. 17, 2020
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C. Provincial Health Officer.Flickr/Province of B.C.

Heading into the weekend, the numbers remain concerning for COVID-19 in B.C.

Today (Dec. 18), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 11 more people that died from the virus in the last 24 hours for a total of 724 since the pandemic began in January.

She also announced 624 new infections since yesterday for a provincial total of 45,400 and, for a second day in a row 47 of which were found in Northern Health increasing the authority's case-count to 1,509 since it was first regionally detected in March.

Noe of the new deaths were in Northern Health, keeping its toll at 15.

It says 20 people have been admitted into a critical-care unit out of 45 total hospitalizations at regional hospitals.

According to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), 383 COVID-19 tests were conducted in Northern Health since yesterday for a positive turn-around rate of 12 per cent.

Since the pandemic reached the north, 42,612 tests have been conducted by health officials, which, as per Northern Health's most recent report (2019-20), is only 15 per cent of the population it serves.

Among the 9,978 active cases, there are 92 people in critical care, one less from Thursday, out of 356 currently in B.C. hospitals.

There are 10,211 people are under active public health monitoring after potentially coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, while 33,589 have recovered.

Dr. Henry also touched on the holiday season once again as Christmas is just a week away, reiterating the need to celebrate in a safe way.

“For young people throughout the province, today is the final day of school ahead of the holiday break. There are many ways for young people to enjoy this special time of year," she explained.

“Take a night-time walk in your neighbourhood to look at local light displays. Consider dropping off baked goods or homemade gifts or cards to neighbours or those in long-term care to brighten someone else’s day."

Northern Health is also appealing to residents to stay vigilant with COVID-19 guidelines, protocols and health orders after an influx of cases were recorded in the last month.

In the Nechako health area of the authority, 108 infections were found between Nov. 18 and Dec. 17, including 65 currently listed as active.

The cluster led to the deployment of the BC Emergency Health Services Major Incident Rapid Response Team for eight consecutive days on the ground in the Fort St. James/Nak'azdli Whut'en community.

The special unit responded to more than 100 medical calls between Dec. 9 and 16, some associated with the virus, helped transfer patients to hospitals and assisted with local paramedics before returning to the lower mainland this week.

An ambulance, more equipment and two paramedics from Vancouver Island are staying in the northern B.C. district until Dec. 24 to monitor the cluster.

The Nak'azdli Whut'en First Nation has also decided to extend its community shutdown another two weeks formally ending Jan. 1, 2021.

To date, 16 Prince George schools have been flagged for a COVID-19 exposure event, including seven cited for dates this month.

The full list of schools in northern B.C. where COVID-19 has been detected is as follows: 

  • Mountain View Christian Academy (Independent) - Dec. 7-8, 2020
  • Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Dec. 4, 7-11, 14-17, 2020
  • Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) - Dec. 9-10, 2020
  • Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
  • St. Mary's Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 7-10, 2020; Dec. 3-4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020
  • College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10 and 11, 2020
  • D.P. Todd Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1 and 2, 2020
  • Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Dec. 8, 2020; Nov. 16-18, 2020; Sept. 23-25, 2020
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
  • Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
  • Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 8, 2020
  • Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 2020
  • Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Dec. 7, 2020; Oct. 15-16, 2020
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 4 and 7, 2020
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 4, 2020
  • Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Dec. 3-4, 2020; Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 2020
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 2-3, 2020
  • Suwilaawks Community School - Terrace (SD82) - Dec. 1-2, 3-4, 2020; Nov. 27, 30, 2020
  • Kitwanga Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-3, 2020
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1-3, 2020; Nov. 18, 2020; Oct. 2, 2020
  • Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 2020
  • Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 23-26, 27, 30, 2020
  • Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
  • Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 19-20, 20-26, 30, 2020
  • Veritas Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 30, 2020
  • Anne Roberts Young Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 30, 2020
  • Bert Ambrose Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 30, 2020
  • David Hoy Elementary (SD91) - Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 25-26, 2020; Sept. 17-18, 2020
  • William Konkin Elementary in Burns Lake (SD91) - Nov. 16, 23-24, 23-27, 2020
  • Energetic Learning Campus in Fort St. John (SD60) - Nov. 16-20, 23-27, 30, 2020
  • Peden Hill Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 12-17, 17-20, 24-27, Nov. 30, 2020
  • Centennial Christian in Terrace (Independent) - Nov. 23-26, 2020
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12-13, 16, 19-20, 24-26, 2020
  • Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 25-27, 2020
  • Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 16-26, 2020
  • Ecole College Heights Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 19-20, 20-24, 2020
  • Beaverly Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23-24, 2020
  • Foothills Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23, 2020
  • Lakes District Secondary (SD91) - Nov. 23, 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
  • Notre Dame in Dawson Creek (Private) - Oct. 13-14, 2020
  • Quesnel Junior Secondary (SD28) - Sept. 10-11, 15-18, 2020
  • Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Sept. 10-11, 2020