Unprecedented times court unprecedented numbers.
COVID-19 has claimed six more lives in B.C. as the province posted a new three-day case count record of 1,120 cases since Friday (Oct. 30) for a new grand total of 15,501 since January.
Today (Nov. 2), Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reka Gustafson reported the following case counts:
- 352 = Friday to Saturday
- 389 = Saturday to Sunday
- New provincial daily case-count record
- 379 = Sunday to Monday
In Northern Health, there were just 10 new COVID-19 cases detected for a regional total of 422 since March.
Of the 2,945 people in B.C. listed as active for the virus, 90 of them are in hospital, 19 of whom care in critical care.
The six new deaths raise the provincial toll to 269, but none were recorded in northern B.C. (one in Fraser Health, five in Vancouver Coastal).
Dr. Gustafson says that if you are contacted by contact trackers, to please fully cooperate and answer the calls from them #cityofpg #covid19 #COVIDbc #bc #bcpoli #bced @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) November 2, 2020
Dr. Gustafson says close to 6,500 people are under active public health monitoring after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 previously.
"These numbers are concerning to us," said Dr. Gustafson, adding that fluctuations will increase going into cold weather.
In the north, a precautionary outbreak was declared at the Rotary Manor in Dawson Creek, to which officials say the risk of transmission is considered 'low' at this time as a single staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
The authority says the status will likely stay in place until Nov. 8, two weeks after the case was recorded on Oct. 25.
Northern Health says its working with Rotary Manor staff, residents and their families to identify anyone who may have been exposed, including taking the following measures:
- Cleaning and infection control measures have been enhanced
- Staff and resident movement in the facility has been restricted
- Staffing levels will be maintained to provide resident care
- Temporary suspension of social visits (essential visits are not impacted, and can continue)
There are also 10 schools that have been listed for potential COVID-19 exposure since the virus reached the region:
- Roosevelt Park Elementary School (SD52) - Oct. 21-22, 2020
- Immaculate Conception School (Independent, Diocese of Prince George) - Oct. 21-23, 2020
- Fort Nelson Secondary School (SD81) - Oct. 15-16, 2020
- Notre Dame School (Private) - Oct. 13-14, 2020
- Prince George Secondary School (SD57) - Oct. 2, 2020
- Dawson Creek Secondary School - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Sept. 23-25, 2020
- David Hoy Elementary School (SD91) - Sept. 17-18, 2020
- Quesnel Junior Secondary School (SD28) - Sept. 10-11, 15-18, 2020
- Nak’albun Elementary School (Independent) - Sept. 16-18, 2020
- Ecole Frank Ross Elementary School (SD59) - Sept. 10-11, 2020
Officials are continuing to encourage the public to adhere to public health orders and expectations following several Halloween events that involved large crowds, such as those that gathered on Vancouver's Granville Street.
In Prince George, RCMP said they tended to an out-of-control house party that included an estimated 50 youth, to which the homeowner was issued a $2,300 fine for violating those gathering orders.
Additionally, police were called to several fights that broke out at the Regents Crescent home, eventually sending two youth to hospital to be treated for alcohol poisoning.
According to Health Minister Adrian Dix, Dr. Bonnie Henry is taking time off until Wednesday's (Nov. 4) written update and will be back on Thursday (Nov. 5) as well for the live in-person update.
- with files from Dawson Creek Mirror
