B.C.'s COVID-19 death toll has reached a new milestone.
There have now been 1,210 fatalities from the virus since the pandemic began after 21 people passed away this past weekend in the province, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry stated at an in-person news conference this afternoon (Feb. 1).
Seven of those deaths were recorded in Northern Health, one-third of the weekend's toll, raising the total to 74 since the pandemic reached the region in March last year.
Since Friday (Jan. 29), 1,158 more tests came back positive, bringing B.C.'s new to-date infection total to 67,937, with 98 of those coming out of Northern Health for a new regional total of 3,489.
The provincial numbers include 18 cases that were of the more easily transmitted variants.
The variant officially known as B.1.1.7, first detected in the U.K., is the more prevalent variant in B.C., with 12 new cases detected during the weekend, none in Northern Health.
Four new cases of the B.1.351 variant, first discovered in South Africa, were discovered in the province in the past three days, none in Northern Health.
The latest three-day case counts are as follows:
- 408 = Friday to Saturday
- 37 in Northern Health
- Four deaths across the province
- 473 = Saturday to Sunday
- 34 in Northern Health
- 14 deaths across the province
- 277 = Sunday to Monday
- 28 in Northern Health
- Three deaths across the province
Out of 4,134 currently active cases, 289 people have been admitted into hospital with 79 in critical care or ICU.
There are also 7,242 people being actively monitored by public health after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, while 61,117 are listed as recovered.
In Northern Health, there are 15 people admitted into critical care among 32 total hospitalizations, 359 active infections and 3,046 recoveries.
Last week, there was some encouraging news from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) for the north.
In the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Health Service Delivery Area of Case Residence report, Northern Health recorded 269 cases from Jan. 22 to 28, 2021.
The Northern Interior, Prince George included, recorded 74 cases; Northwest B.C. had the highest total with 130, while Northeast B.C. tallied 65.
From Jan. 1, 2020 to Jan. 21, 2021, the Northern Interior has recorded 1,560 cases of the virus.
There are two active outbreaks at seniors' living facilities in Northern Health; Jubilee Lodge in Prince George and Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert.
There's been no change in the Jubilee Lodge outbreak, which officials continue to monitor as 14 people have died from COVID-19 at the long-term care facility.
Currently, 62 cases have been found since Dec. 12, including 48 residents and 14 staff members.
No new cases have been detected since Jan. 13, as of this publication.
In education, Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary in Prince George was listed a third time for a COVID-19 exposure event Jan. 25 to 27.
Students and staff are being asked to monitor symptoms until Feb. 10 and can still attend school unless told by a public health official to isolate.
The up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event is as follows:
- Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 25-27, 2021
- Notre Dame in Dawson Creek (Private) - Jan. 25, 2021
- Fraser Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 25, 2021
- Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 20-22, 2021
- Gudangaay Tlaats'gaa Naay Secondary (SD50) - Jan. 22, 2021
- Heritage Elementary (SD57) - Jan. 20-22, 2021
- Nak'albun Elementary (Independent) - Jan. 18, 2021
- Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Jan. 19-21, 2021
- Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 20-21, 2021
- Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Jan. 8, 2021; Jan. 12-13, 2021
- Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 13-15, 2021
- Houston Secondary (SD54) - Jan. 13-15, 2021
- Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Jan. 15, 2021
- Nak'albun Elementary (Independent) - Jan. 11-14, 2021
- Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Jan. 12-13, 2021
- DP Todd Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 4-6, 2021; Jan. 11-12, 2021
- Chalo School (Independent, Fort Nelson First Nation) - Jan. 5-7, 2021; Jan. 6-8, 2021
- North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021; Jan. 11, 2021; 13-14, 2021
- Clearview Elementary-Junior Secondary (SD60) - Jan. 7-8, 2021
- Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 11-12, 2021
- Houston Secondary (SD54) - Jan. 11-13, 2021
- Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Jan. 11, 2021
- Conrad Elementary (SD52) Jan. 11-13, 2021
- Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 8, 2021
- Lax Kxeen Elementary (SD52) - Jan. 7-8, 12, 2021
- Decker Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 4-6, 2021
- Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 6-7, 2021
- Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Jan. 4-6, 2021
- McNaughton Secondary (SD28) - Jan. 6-8, 2021
- Valemount Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 6, 2021
- Skeena Middle (SD82) - Jan. 4, 2021
- Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021
- Mountain Christian (Independent) - Dec. 18, 2020
- Dec. 18, 2020 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
- Cedars Christian - Prince George (Independent) - Dec. 14-16, 2020
- Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30, 2020
- Bert Ambrose Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 17-18, 2020
- Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
- Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 10-11, 2020
- Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
- Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
- Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
- Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Ecole Mountain View Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
- Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 11, 2020
- Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 14-16, 2020
- Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
- Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30
- Alwin Holland Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
- Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31
- North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
- Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31
- Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 14-16, 2020; Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 17-18; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 2020
- Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30, 2020
- Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
- Pinewood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 14-15, 2020; Dec. 14-18, 2020
- Dec. 14-15 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
- Dec. 14-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
- Southridge Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 10, 2020
- Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
- Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 10-11, 2020; Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
- Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
- Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 2020
- Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
- Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 9; Dec. 8, 2020
- Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
- Dec. 9 = Self-monitoring endedDec. 23, 2020
- St. Mary's Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 8-11, 2020; Dec. 7-10, 2020; Dec. 3-4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020
- Dec. 7-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec 24, 2020
- Dec. 8-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec.25, 2020
- Mountain View Christian Academy (Independent) - Dec. 8-10, 2020; Dec. 7-8, 2020
- Dec. 7-8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
- Dec. 8-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
- Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Dec. 4, 7-11, 14-17, 2020
- Dec. 4, 7-11,14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
- Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) - Dec. 9-10, 2020; Dec. 13-15, 2020
- Dec. 9-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
- Dec. 13-15 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
- Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
- Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
- College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10-11, 2020; Dec. 17-18, 2020
- Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
- Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
- DP 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
- Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
- Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
- Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
- Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Dec. 7, 2020; Oct. 15-16, 2020
- Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 2-3, 4, 2020
- Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Dec. 3-4, 2020; Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 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
- 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; Dec. 14-16, 2020
- Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
- North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12-13, 16, 19-20, 24-26, 2020; Dec. 16-17, 2020
- Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
- Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 25-27, 2020
- Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 16-26, 2020, Dec. 14-18, 2020
- Dec. 14-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
- 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, Dec. 17, 2020
- Dec. 17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 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
Dr. Henry says information will be provided on B.C.'s current public health orders on Friday morning (Feb. 5), which is when they formally end, on whether they'll be lifted, extended, loosened or tightened.
She says health officials are also scheduled to provide an epidemiological update at the same time.
- with files from Jess Fedigan, PrinceGeorgeMatters, and Glen Kordstrom, Business In Vancouver
