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B.C. sees 648 more COVID-19 cases, 79 new variants of concern infections detected

No new deaths in past day
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
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B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix.Government of B.C.

COVID-19 numbers in B.C. continue to climb. 

In a written statement this afternoon (March 12), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said 648 more cases of the virus were detected during the past 24 hours, bringing the grand total to 86,867. 

Of the new infections, Northern Health added 56 for an updated authority total of 5,101 since March 14, 2020.

There have been no new deaths linked to the virus today, keeping the province's total at 1,397.

There are currently 5,070 active cases throughout B.C. with 255 people in hospital, 67 of which are admitted in ICU or critical care.

A total of 80,325 cases are officially classified as recovered. 

Officials say there have been 79 newly confirmed cases that are variants of concern. The provincial total is now at 717. 

There is currently 99 variant-of-concern cases active.

A total of 667 are linked to the U.K. variant (B.1.1.7), 36 linked to the South African variant (B.1.351) and 14 of the Brazil variant (P.1)

Yesterday afternoon (March 11), Dr. Henry announced changes to public health orders, allowing outdoor gatherings with up to 10 people. 

"The provincial health officer order on gatherings and events has been amended to allow for outdoor gathering for up to 10 people," she said.

"This means your children can have a play-date with their friends for the March Break, but with their same group of friends, and if they're in school, the group of friends that they're in a cohort. So, you can meet friends outside and have a coffee, have a chance to have a connection, have a picnic in the park with your with your grandparents."

She stressed that all public health orders must be followed and all indoor gatherings are still banned.

Henry also tightened restrictions on alcohol service for St. Patrick's Day.

She amended her order for food and liquor service establishments "so that liquor sales for on-site, and off-site consumption must cease between 8 p.m. on March 17 until 9 a.m. on March 18."

She said there will be "some caveats around full meal provision," and when restaurants must close, similar to restrictions put in place for New Year's Eve.

There was also some good news today for the Prince George Spruce Kings. 

The team will be back in action as early as the first week of April as the league's COVID-19 return-to-play plan has been approved by the provincial government, giving the official green light today (March 12).

Five 'pods' will be created of either three or four teams over a five-week campaign, a BCHL statement reads from its Board of Governors.

“After months and months of hard work behind the scenes by the league’s Return-to-Play Task Force, we are pleased to make the announcement today that the BCHL will be back on the ice to play the 2020-21 season,” says BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb.

“This entire process has always been about our players and giving them the best chance to get back to playing games and showcasing their skills, and we have accomplished that today.”

The announcement comes nearly three weeks after 'multiple' Spruce Kings members tested positive for COVID-19, to which everyone involved, including close contacts, completed a 14-day isolation in coordination with Northern Health.

Additonally, the BCHL has hired a Chief Medical Officer to ensure health and safety protocols are met who will oversee all COVID-19 safety protocols, which is set to include COVID-19 testing and a quarantine period for players and team staff.

“At the end of the day, our league is all about getting players scholarships and moving them on to the next level to allow them to pursue their athletic and educational goals,” said BCHL Executive Director Steven Cocker.

“With no games since November, it has been difficult for these players to get noticed by college programs and, as a result, we’ve seen a significant effect on the number of college commitments in the league this year. With a shortened season now in place, we are thrilled to get our players back in the spotlight and give them the attention they deserve.”

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) - March 3-5, 2021
  • Pineview Elementary (SD57) - March 3-5, 2021
  • Chief Matthews School (Independent) - March 4, 2021
  • Fraser Lake Elementary (SD91) - March 1-2, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - March 3-4, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - March 1-3, 2021
  • Ecole Roosevelt Park Community School (SD52) - March 2-5, 2021
  • Hart Highlands Elementary (SD57) - March 1, 2021
  • Mount Elizabeth Secondary (SD82) - March 1, 2021
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - March 1-3, 2021
  • Houston Christian (Independent) - March 1-3, 2021
  • Houston Secondary (SD54) - March 1-3, 2021
  • Twain Sullivan Elementary (SD54) - March 1-3, 2021
  • Silverthorne Elementary (SD54) - March 1-3, 2021
  • Annunciation School Prince Rupert (Independent) - March 1-3, 2021
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 25-26, 2021
  • Thornhill Primary (SD82) - Feb. 25-26, 2021
  • Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 25-26, 2021
  • Ecole Mountain View Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 25-26, 2021
  • Nechako Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
  • Mount Elizabeth Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
  • Kildala Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 26, March 1-2, 2021
  • Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 23-26, 2021
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
  • Hazelton Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 25, 2021
  • Skeena Middle School (SD82) - Feb. 22-26, 2021
  • Sk'aadgaa Naay Elementary (SD50) - Feb. 19, 23, 2021
  • Kildala Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 24, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
  • Energetic Learning Campus - Fort St. John (SD60) - Feb. 22-24, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 16-19, 22, 2021
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 22-23, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 22-23, 2021
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 19, 2021
  • Annunciation School - Prince Rupert (Diocese of Prince George) - Feb. 17-19, 22-23, 2021
  • Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary - Hazelton (SD82) - Feb. 17-19, 22-24, 2021
  • Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
  • Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Feb. 17-19, 2021
  • Chief Matthews School - Old Massett Village (Independent) - Feb. 17, 2021
  • Notre Dame School (Private) - Feb. 16-18, 2021
  • Sk'aadgaa Naay Elementary (SD50) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Gidgalang Kuuyas Naay Secondary (SD50) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 16, 2021
  • Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 16, 2021
  • Kispiox Community School (Independent) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Lac des Bois Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Spruceland Traditional Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 10-12, 2021
  • Kispiox Community School (Independent) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 11, 2021
  • Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
  • Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Feb. 17-18, 2021; Feb. 11-12 and 16, 2021
  • Chief Matthews School - Old Massett Village (Independent) - Feb. 12, 2021
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Feb. 9-12, 2021
  • Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Feb. 8, 2021
  • Duchess Park Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 9-12, 2021
  • Crescent Park Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 2, 3, 10, 2021
  • 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 the following:

  • 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, and Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver