COVID-19 numbers in British Columbia continue to go up.
In a written statement this afternoon (April 9), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said 1,262 more tests came back positive for the virus across B.C. during the past 24 hours for a new grand total of 109,540.
1,262 COVID-19 cases detected in B.C. in the past 24 hours according to health officials. #bcpoli #covidbc #covid19bc #covid19 #bced #cdnpoli #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) April 9, 2021
Of those infections, Northern Health added 79, raising the authority total to 6,442 since March of 2020.
There have been two new COVID-linked deaths, which raises the province's toll to 1,495.
There are currently 9,574 active cases throughout B.C. with 332 people in hospital, 102 of which are admitted in ICU or critical care. Another 15,673 are under active public health monitoring due to being exposed to someone diagnosed with the virus.
New variants of concern cases Prov. - Not given.
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) April 9, 2021
Prov. total - 4,111
Active - 105
U.K. variant (B.1.1.7) - 3,082
South African variant (B.1.351) - 55
Brazil variant (P.1) - 974 #bcpoli #covidbc #covid19bc #covid19 #bced #cdnpoli #cityofpg @PGMatters
A total of 98,336 cases are officially classified as recovered.
Those between 55 and 65 years of age can now get a COVID-19 vaccine at select Prince George pharmacies.
The province revealed on March 30 it would begin offering the AstraZenena vaccine at 150 local pharmacies within the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions to those between the ages of 55 and 65.
On April 3, the province announced the program would extend to Prince George, Quesnel, Terrace, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Parksville, Vernon and Victoria.
NEW - The AstraZeneca program for those aged 55-65 is expanding next week to: Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Parksville, Prince George, Quesnel, Terrace, Vernon and Victoria. #bcpoli #covidbc #covid19bc #covid19 #bced #cdnpoli #cityofpg @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/Z0Gb9BLpYs
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) April 3, 2021
The rollout was planned after B.C. suspended the use of the vaccine for those under 55 amid growing global concerns it was linked to a small number of cases of blood clots to have emerged in those who have received the jab.
Those wanting a vaccine should call the pharmacies listed below or check online for booking. Some may accept walk-ins, but residents are asked to call ahead.
The following pharmacies in Prince George are participating in the program:
- Costco Pharmacy #158 - 2555 Range Rd.
- Hart Drug Mart - 6707 Dagg Rd.
- Loblaw Pharmacy #1562 - 2155 Ferry Ave.
- Save-on-Foods Pharmacy #967, Spruceland - 555 Central St. West
- Shoppers Drug Mart #0210 - Spruceland Shopping Centre
- Shoppers Drug Mart #0628 - Unit 185 3055 Massey Dr.
- Shoppers Drug Mart #2226 - College Heights Plaza
- Shoppers Drug Mart #2287 - 6760 Madill Rd.
- Third Avenue Pharmacy - 1467 3rd Ave.
- Wal-Mart Pharmacy #3651 - 6565 Southridge Ave.
Dr. Henry says the vaccine is effective and urges residents to take advantage of the availability.
"The AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine is another important tool in our immunization program to get us past this surge of COVID-19 cases.
“We know from the millions of doses used worldwide, and especially in the U.K., it is highly effective and the benefits to those over age 55 far outweigh the very real risks of getting COVID-19."
In education, up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a recent COVID-19 exposure event, and listed with a self-monitoring period, is as follows:
- Dawson Creek Secondary, South Peace Campus (SD59) - March 31-April 1, 2021
- Robert Ogilvie Elementary (SD60) - March 31, 2021
- Canalta Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021
- Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - March 29, 2021
- Dawson Creek Secondary, South Peace Campus (SD59) - March 29, 2021
- Lax Kxeen Elementary (SD52) - March 29-30, 2021
- Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - March 29-30, 2021
- Devereaux Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021
- Dawson Creek Secondary (SD59) - March 31, 2021
- Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021
In all instances, Northern Health's school-exposure section explains the following:
- Contact tracing is initiated to determine how the individual was infected and who they were in close contact with
- We identify and notify close contacts who may be at an increased risk, and advise them to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days
- Only Public Health can determine who is a close contact
- Learning groups, friends or other connections may not be determined to be a close contact
- Public Health staff works closely with the school and school district throughout the case and contact management process to maintain close communication with the school community
- with files from Nelson Bennett and Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver
