Skip to content
Join our Newsletter
  1. Home
  2. Local News

B.C. records another 19 COVID-19 deaths, 518 cases

Northern Health sees another 31 cases
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
49856194753_973d6685b6_k
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (via Government of B.C. Flickr)

It was a mixed day of emotions at B.C.'s daily COVID-19 briefing. 

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry appeared in front of cameras this afternoon (Dec. 23), announcing another 518 COVID-19 cases in the past day. 

The province's grand total now sits at 48,027 since the pandemic hit in January. 

Of the newly announced cases, Northern Health has added 31, which brings the recorded total to 1,652.

There are 9,137 people listed as active for COVID-19 throughout the province, 348 are in hospital with 80 in critical care.

Another 9,689 are under active public health monitoring after being exposed to someone with the virus. A total of 36,952 have been classified as fully recovered. 

Henry announced another 19 deaths in B.C in the past day which raises the fatality rate to 796.

Northern Health's current active cases and death count are currently unknown as the authority is included in a data system transition. 

According to what Henry presented today on the province’s COVID trajectory for December, the infection rate index has now fallen below 1 – meaning each infected person is in turn infecting one person or fewer.

That number, Henry said, is the difference between the COVID curve skyrocketing versus plateauing and falling over the next month.

“That’s where we are now, which means what we are doing is working,” Henry said of the stricter restrictions introduced in November. “But we cannot let up... It doesn’t mean we are out of the woods.

“We have bent our curve slightly. But we need to be cautious, because it would not take much to get us back into the danger zone.”

Henry also issued a new provincial health order, calling for a phased restart of work camps on projects in Northern B.C. in January as workers return from the holidays. The details of how the phased startup will work have not yet been released.

“[The nature of camp startup] means there are workers travelling to and from camp,” Henry said. “January sees an influx of people from not only within the province but also from outside B.C. Right now, we know Northern Health is stretched. We are already seeing small communities under strain, and the new order ensures we can maintain services in those communities.”

Another sign of hope appeared this morning when Health Canada approved a second COVID-19 vaccine for use in the country as the battle against the virus continues. 

Moderna will start being shipped to Canada within the next 48 hours, the company said. 

Up to 168,000 doses are set to arrive by the end of December, and two million by the end of March.

Canada is to get 40 million doses of Moderna's vaccine in 2021, enough to vaccinate 20 million people, or about two-thirds of the Canadian adult population.

The vaccine is not yet recommended for use on children as tests on adolescents only began in December and tests on children younger than 12 won't begin until next year.

Health Canada said in a statement that Moderna will have to continue to provide information to the regulator on the safety of the vaccine.

"Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will closely monitor the safety of the vaccine once it is on the market and will not hesitate to take action if any safety concerns are identified," the statement said.

Canada's doses of the Moderna vaccine are being made in Europe.

The first doses are prioritized for front-line health staff, residents and workers in long-term care, adults in remote Indigenous communities, and seniors over the age of 80 living in the community.

Northern Health began its immunizations of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine yesterday (Dec. 22) to front line health care workers after receiving its first shipments of the product on Monday (Dec. 21)

Prince George Jubilee Lodge care-aide Biserka Becker received the first shot. 

The Jubilee Lodge is currently under an outbreak, which has recently seen four residents succumb to the virus. 

The facility has a total of 45 confirmed cases with health officials saying 38 residents have tested positive while seven staff members also contracted the virus. 

“The toll that COVID-19 has had on many of our most cherished, but most vulnerable, members of our communities has been heavy,” Northern Health CEO Cathy Ulrich said in a release.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to residents of Jubilee Lodge and their families as well as to their caregivers; the staff, nurses and physicians who continue to provide excellent and compassionate care during understandably challenging circumstances.”

When the outbreak was originally declared on Dec. 12, Northern Health reported just one staff member and two residents were involved. 

Nine more cases were then announced on Dec. 16, which involved six more residents and another three staff members, bringing the to-date total to 12.

“Increased vigilance and testing during an outbreak often means that we expect to find additional cases of COVID-19,” Northern Health Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Jong Kim added.

“It also highlights the need to take great care to protect those we know can be most vulnerable to this virus, and I appreciate that Jubilee Lodge staff are doing all they can to support and care for its residents.”

Northern Health currently has additional outbreaks declared at the LNG Canada Project Site (declared Nov. 19), North Peace Seniors Housing Society apartments (declared Nov. 22), LNG Canada Project Site involving Diversified (declared Dec. 16) and CGL worksites, 7 Mile Lodge and Little Rock Lake Lodge involving Coastal Gas Link (declared Dec. 19). 

Intensive Care Lead at UHNBC Dr. Marietije Slabbert also received one of the first vaccinations. Slabbert is considered a high-risk health care worker because she works with COVID-19 patients that are critical. 

“This has been a really long journey for people working in health care, and the community at large, and it’s wonderful that this vaccine has finally arrived in the North; it’s like the best Christmas present ever," she said in a news release. 

“The teams of physicians, nurses, care aides, cleaners -- everybody has been working so hard, and we’ll continue working hard to get this vaccine to every person in the North who wants to be vaccinated.”

The authority says high-risk health care workers, and long-term care and assisted-living residents are among the priority groups that'll receive the free vaccine first, as predetermined by B.C.'s Ministry of Health.

"Vaccines do more than protect the people being immunized, they also protect everyone around them," reads a statement from Northern Health on the momentous occasion.

"As more vaccines are approved by Health Canada and shipment volumes ramp up, more communities and more groups of people will receive the COVID-19 vaccine."

The authority is also still warning school communities of COVID-19 exposure events.

It is also now listing the dates when self-monitoring for symptoms will end for potentially impacted students and staff. 

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

The full up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for the virus is as follows: 

  • Alwin Holland Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 31
  • North Peace Secondary School (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 31
  • Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 14-16, 2020; Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 2020
    • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 30, 2020
  • Pinewood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 14-15, 2020
    • Dec. 14-15 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 29, 2020
  • Southridge Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 10, 2020
    • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ends 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 ends Dec. 25, 2020
  • Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 2020
    • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25, 2020 
  • Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 9; Dec. 8, 2020
    • Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 22, 2020
    • Dec. 9 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 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 ends Dec 24, 2020
    • Dec. 8-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec.25, 2020
  • Mountain View Christian Academy (Independent) - Dec. 8-10, 2020; Dec. 7-8, 2020
    • Dec. 7-8 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 22, 2020
    • Dec. 8-10 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 24, 2020
  • Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Dec. 4, 7-11, 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 4, 7-11,14-17 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 31, 2020
  • Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) - Dec. 9-10, 2020
    • Dec. 9-10 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 24, 2020
  • Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25, 2020
  • College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10-11, 2020
    • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25, 2020
  • D.P. 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 ends Dec. 22, 2020
  • Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
    • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 24, 2020
  • Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Dec. 7, 2020; Oct. 15-16, 2020
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 4 and 7, 2020
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 4, 2020
  • Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Dec. 3-4, 2020; Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 2020
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 2-3, 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
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12-13, 16, 19-20, 24-26, 2020
  • Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 25-27, 2020
  • Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 16-26, 2020
  • 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
  • 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

There will be no updates from health officials on Dec. 25, 26, 27 or 28. The next briefing will be Tuesday, Dec. 29.

- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters, The Canadian Press and Chuck Chiang, Business In Vancouver