B.C.'s COVID-19 numbers took a large jump today (Feb. 18).
In a written statement this afternoon, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said another 617 COVID-19 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours for a grand provincial total of 75,327.
Of those, Northern Health found 92 new infections for an updated authority total of 4,227.
NEW - Not good: B.C. has seen another 617 COVID-19 cases detected in the past day, per health officials #bcpoli #bced #COVIDBC #COVID19 #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) February 18, 2021
Officials announced another four deaths today, which brings the province's toll to 1,321.
There are currently 4,348 active cases throughout B.C. with 224 people currently hospitalized, 60 of which are in ICU or critical care.
A total of 69,602 have been classified as fully recovered.
Health officials say there have been four new deaths for a new death toll total of 1,321 #bcpoli #bced #COVIDBC #COVID19 #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) February 18, 2021
COVID-19 cases appear to be par for the course in Prince George, according to the latest data from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
From Feb. 7-13, 2021, the new numbers from Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence show the region saw a total of 81 new infections.
In the previous seven-day period, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 2021, numbers showed the region had recorded 86 cases.
In other Northern Health areas, the new data shows Peace River South tallied 31 cases, Peace River North saw 18, Quesnel recorded two while the Nechako region had just one.
In education, the up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event is as follows:
- Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
- Cedars Christian School (Independent, Prince George) - Feb. 10-12, 2021
- Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 2-5, 2021
- Dawson Creek Secondary - Central Campus (SD59) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
- Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
- Cedars Christian - Prince George (SD57) - Feb. 8, 2021
- Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 4-5, 8, 10, 2021
- Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Feb. 3-5, 8, 2021
- Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 10, 2021
- Spruceland Traditional School (SD57) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
- Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 8-10, 2021
- Pacific Coast School (SD52) - Feb. 4, 2021
- Giscome Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 4, 2021
- Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Feb. 5, 8, 2021
- Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 3-4, 2021
- Bear Valley School (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
- Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
- Thornhill Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 2-3, 2021
- Cassie Hall Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 5, 2021
- Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Feb. 1-3, 2021
- Suwilaawks Community School (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
- Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 8, 2021
- Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Feb. 1-3, 2021
- Tremblay Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 2, 2021
- Cedars Christian - Prince George (Independent) - Feb. 1, 2021
- Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 3, 2021
- Pineridge Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 3, 2021
- Port Edward Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 1, 2021
- Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 26-29, 2021
- Heritage Elementary (SD57) - Jan. 26, 2021
- Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 25-27, 2021; Jan. 28-29, 2021
- Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 28-29, 2021
- Decker Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 22-26, 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; Jan. 26-27, 2021; Jan. 27-29, 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
Northern Health's school-exposure section explains students should still go to school "if you do not receive a phone call or letter from Public Health," but you're also encouraged to monitor symptoms daily.
- 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
As of this publication, there are three outbreaks still ongoing in the north including Brucejack Mine on-site outbreak (declared Feb. 10), Dawson Creek and District Hospital's Medical Inpatient Unit (Feb. 7) and Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert (Jan. 19).