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B.C. records additional 508 COVID-19 cases, six new deaths

Northern Health adds 25 cases
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
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B.C. Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Réka Gustafson. (via Government of B.C. Flickr)

COVID-19 cases in B.C. still remain high.

In an on-camera briefing this afternoon (Feb. 19), Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reka Gustafson said another 508 COVID-19 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours for a grand provincial total of 75,835.

Of those, Northern Health detected 25 new infections for an updated authority total of 4,252.

Officials announced another six deaths today, which brings the province's toll to 1,327.

There are currently 4,486 active cases throughout B.C. with 217 people currently hospitalized, 61 of which are in ICU or critical care.

A total of 69,970 have been classified as fully recovered. 

Northern B.C. still holds the highest COVID-19 positivity rate, but it has seen a decline. 

While cases continue to rise, the seven-day moving average positivity rate has dipped to 13.2 per cent but still remains the only health authority to be in double digits as of Feb. 17, 2021.

For comparison, Island Health currently sits at 2.4 per cent, Vancouver Coastal Health is at six per cent, Fraser Health is at 7.7 per cent and Interior Health comes in at 4.8 per cent. 

Dr. Henry warned earlier this week there is a concern as moving averages and case numbers are seeing a rise across the province due to increased interactions. 

"While the overall number of new cases has slowly been coming down and is lower than it was a few weeks ago, it is still very high, much higher than we want it to be.

"The tide can turn quickly and successes we have in getting our transmission down and preventing outbreaks can also be washed away."

While Dr. Henry has been hoping to make some changes to team and organized sports at the end of this month, news out of the BCHL this week isn't what the province is looking to see.

It's been confirmed that COVID-19 test among the Prince George Spruce Kings came back positive

According to a statement from the BCHL, 'multiple' members received lab-confirmed results for the virus and are currently under quarantine as directed by Northern Health.

The league says, per its safety plan, it also told the Provincial Health Office of the cases, the amount of which is unknown at this time.

No other comments are being made as of this publication (Feb. 19) by the BCHL of the Spruce Kings.

The team tells PrinceGeorgeMatters an update is expected to be provided in the coming days.

"At this point, the affected team members and all close contacts have been placed in a 14-day quarantine and anyone showing symptoms will be tested as soon as possible," the statement reads.

"The PHO will dictate any further measures they may feel are necessary, based on the results of those additional tests and the protocols agreed to in the BCHL’s COVID-19 Safety Plan."

When the BCHL took part in its extended exhibition season in awaiting a potential 2020-21 campaign, a total of three players tested positive for COVID-19 cases, including two members of the Penticton Vees and one with the Surrey Eagles.

In education, the up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event is as follows: 

  • Dr. Kearny Middle (SD60) - Feb. 11, 12, 2021
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
  • Cedars Christian (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

- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters