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B.C. records another 24 deaths in past day, Northern Health adds 47 new cases

Province announces another 24 deaths
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
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B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (via THE CANADIAN PRESS)

While vaccines are starting to roll out in B.C., the fight is far from over. 

In a written statement this afternoon (Dec. 16), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 640 cases recorded in the last 24 hours for a new grand total of 44,103 with the one-year anniversary of the virus arriving in the province coming up quickly. 

Of those, Northern Health has 47, which brings the authority's recorded number to 1,415.

There are 9,950 people listed as active for COVID-19 throughout the province, 362 are in hospital with 91 in critical care. 

Henry announced another 24 deaths in B.C in the past day which raises the fatality rate to 692.

Additionally, there are 10,538 under active public health monitoring after being exposed to someone infected with the virus while 32,376 have been classified as fully recovered.

Yesterday (Dec. 15) saw a glimmer of hope throughout B.C. with the first COVID-19 vaccines being administered to front-line health workers after almost a year later from when the worldwide pandemic struck the province.

The province announced last night (Dec. 15) 64-year-old Nisha Yunus was the first person to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination, with Dr. Bonnie Henry looking on, a visible smile on her face even under her mask. 

"I am so grateful. It feels like a dream came true. It is both a privilege and an honour to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia," Yunus said. 

Yunus has been a residential care aid for 41 years at the same long-term care home in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, also all in the same unit and the same floor. 

“I have seen first-hand what COVID-19 does to families, and I am hopeful we are getting closer to finally reaching the end of this pandemic, so people can reunite safely with their loved ones and put this behind us.”

While it was a joyous moment yesterday, health officials have also stressed not to let up on orders and guidelines, especially as the holidays near.

“Every person who receives the vaccine makes all of us that much safer, and we now have a safe and effective vaccine available and rolling out in B.C.," Dr. Henry said after the first dose was administered yesterday.

"This vaccine and the others that will be available in the weeks ahead will save lives, protect those who are most vulnerable and reduce the disruption that we have experienced in communities everywhere.

“We are not yet through the storm, but brighter days are indeed on the horizon." 

In the north, it was another busy day of COVID-19 activity and announcements, including some good news. 

Northern Health has announced the precautionary outbreaks at University Hospital of Northern BC's (UHNBC) Family Medicine Unit and the Gateway Lodge are now over. 

The precautionary outbreak at the hospital in Prince George was issued on Dec. 3, and officials say there has been no evidence since of ongoing spread from lab-confirmed cases. 

"Northern Health continues to take steps to protect the health of staff and those they care for, with clear policies and procedures in place for COVID-19 infection prevention and control, and reducing the risk of transmission to patients, staff and physicians," the authority said in a news release this afternoon. 

A second precautionary outbreak alert was issued for Prince George's Gateway Lodge on Dec. 10, the same day it's initial declaration in the upper west wing of the second floor was taken off.

A second COVID-19 case was found after a staff member tested positive for the virus involving the Special Care Unit in the east wing. 

"Northern Health thanks Gateway Lodge families and residents for their patience, cooperation and support in recent weeks, and staff for their ongoing commitment to providing excellent care," the release today added. 

As a result of today's announcements, only one outbreak remains in Prince George after one was declared for Jubilee Lodge on Monday (Dec. 14). 

In an update later this afternoon, the authority says there have been eight positive cases among residents and four involving staff members for a total of 12.

"Northern Health continues to take steps to protect the health of all Jubilee Lodge staff and residents," a statement reads.

"Enhanced control measures are in place, as well as additional supports for the facility to address quality, answer questions from staff, residents and family, and to provide active checks of symptoms with staff and residents."

A Prince George private school announced it would be closing its doors just before winter break on Friday (Dec. 18), citing a staffing shortage due to the ongoing pandemic. 

In a letter to parents, Catholic Independent Schools Diocese of Prince George Superintendent Chris Dugdale says St. Mary's Catholic School made the decision in coordination with Northern Health and other officials. 

"After consultation with our Northern Health Officer, the Ministry of Education and Principal Jenny Schroeder, St. Mary's will be closed Wednesday December 16 until noon Friday, December 18 inclusive due to staff shortages stemming from the coronavirus," Dugdale said. 

"Opportunities for the continuity of learning will continue for your child for the 2.5 days remaining this week. 

"Your child's classroom teachers will make contact with your child prior to noon on Friday. The office will remain open during these days to facilitate picking up belongings and/or work packages."

The private school has been flagged for COVID-19 exposure twice to date with Dec. 1 and 2 being listed for the first alert and Dec. 3 and 4 for the second. 

"We are sorry to have to take these steps which we know impact you and your family deeply. 

"The safety of our school community is of utmost importance and we appreciate your patience, understanding and prayers. 

"We recognize that this has been a stressful time, we look forward to a healthy fresh start resuming January 4, 2021."

st-marys-school-letterA letter has been sent to parents of children that go to St. Mary's Catholic School advising of an early start to winter break due to staffing shortages at the school amid COVID-19. (via submitted)

Heather Park Elementary, also in Prince George, was listed by Northern Health for its third COVID-19 exposure event.

Northern Health says students and staff may potentially come into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus on Dec. 3, in addition to its first two exposure events on Dec. 1 and 2 and/or 4, 7 and 8.

In any situation, 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 following is a list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event: 

  • DP Todd Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 2020
  • College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10-11, 2020
  • Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
  • Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 8, 2020
  • Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 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
  • St. Mary's Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 1-2, 3-4, 2020
  • Kitwanga Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-3, 2020
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1-3, 2020; Nov. 18, 2020; Oct. 2, 2020
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020, Nov. 30 - Dec. 4, 2020
  • Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 2020
  • Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 23-26, 27, 30, 2020
  • Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 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
  • Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Nov. 16-18, 2020; Sept. 23-25, 2020, Dec. 8, 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 Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters, and Stefan Labbe, Tri-City News