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B.C. records additional five COVID-19 deaths, 514 new cases

Death toll rises to 1,189
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
tc-48210-web-gac20383266-jpg
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (via THE CANADIAN PRESS)

B.C.'s COVID-19 daily case counts continue to hover at the 500 mark.

Today (Jan. 29), Dr. Bonnie Henry appeared in front of cameras for a rare Friday in-person update, announcing another 514 COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the past 24 hours in B.C. for a grand total of 66,779 since January last year. 

Of those, Northern Health recorded 57 new infections for an updated authority total of 3,391. 

B.C. health officials also reported five more virus-linked deaths, which brings the fatality rate to 1,189.

There are 4,557 people listed as active for COVID-19 in the province, 292 of whom are in hospital with 74 in critical care or ICU.

This morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced some major rule changes for international travellers coming into Canada amid rising COVID-19 cases. 

Trudeau said the new restrictions are meant to discourage non-essential travel to all destinations and reduce the spread of more infectious variants that could send domestic case counts soaring.

"With the challenges we currently face with COVID-19, both here at home and abroad, we all agree that now is just not the time to be flying," Trudeau said Friday from outside Rideau Cottage.

"By putting in place these tough measures now, we can look forward to a better time when we can all plan those vacations."

Trudeau said all arrivals to Canada will have to quarantine in an approved hotel for up to three days at their own expense while they await results of a COVID-19 test taken at the airport.

He said that requirement, set to take effect "in the coming weeks," could cost each traveller more than $2,000 and is in addition to the already mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 test.

Those with positive tests will isolate in designated government facilities, while those with negative results can serve the rest of the two-week quarantine at home. 

All travellers will also require another swab at Day 10 of quarantine, Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam added.

Tam said the order also applies to people who have already been vaccinated, noting ongoing uncertainty about whether this group can still transmit the virus. However, that could change, she allowed.

Trudeau said Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, and Air Transat will suspend service to all Caribbean destinations and Mexico effective Sunday (Jan. 31) until April 30.

Starting next week, all international passenger flights must land at only four airports; Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal.   

Airlines will help arrange the return of customers currently on a trip, Trudeau said. 

Non-essential travellers will also soon have to show a negative test before entry at the land border with the United States. While the border is closed to non-essential travel, there are exceptions.

B.C. Premier John Horgan expressed his support for Canada's new COVID-19 restrictions.

He said, in a statement, the decision to limit international travel will help keep British Columbians safe.

On Wednesday (Jan. 27), Horgan said the province had no immediate plans to impose travel restrictions requiring anyone entering the province to self-isolate for 14 days.

Provincially meanwhile, northern B.C. continues to be atop the province's most concerning regions with a rise in COVID-19 activity. 

According to the latest positivity rate numbers dated for Jan. 27, 2021, released by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Northern Health's seven-day moving average currently sits at 12.6 per cent, the only authority in double digits. 

In comparison, B.C.'s overall positivity rate is just 5.4 per cent. 

The other health authorities in the province have the following seven-day moving average positivity rates as of Wednesday: 

  • Interior Health - Eight per cent
  • Fraser Health - 5.5 per cent
  • Island Health - 3.4 per cent
  • Vancouver Coastal Health - 4.2 per cent 

The highest rate Northern Health has seen to date was on Jan. 1, 2021, when the region recorded a 17.5 per cent positivity rate.

B.C.'s highest was also on Jan. 1, 2021, but only at eight per cent. 

northern-health-positivty-rate-jan-27Northern Health's latest seven-day moving average for COVID-19 positivity rates/BCCDC Dashboard

The authority has performed 54,696 tests to date with 3,334 coming back positive for a percentage of 6.1. 

Yesterday (Jan. 28), officials announced Northern Health had seen another 51 positive cases out of 497 tests in the past 24 hours, which equals a 10 per cent return rate. 

The region's age distribution is as follows as of this morning (Jan. 29): 

  • Less than 10 years old: 175
  • 10-19: 343
  • 20-29: 614
  • 30-39: 545
  • 40-49: 521
  • 50-59: 481
  • 60-69: 318
  • 70-79: 200
  • 80-89: 112
  • 90 and over: 25

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

  • 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

- with files from The Canadian Press