The number of virus-linked deaths in B.C. remains saddening on the day officials recognized the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 lab-confirmed case in Canada.
Today (Jan. 25), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 26 more people that succumbed to the virus' symptoms since Friday (Jan. 22), six of whom were recorded in Northern Health.
The region's death toll now sits at 61, while the province's rises to 1,154.
Dr. Henry explained most of the deaths took the lives of seniors and elders; they were among 1,344 new lab-confirmed cases detected in B.C. over the weekend for a grand total of 64,828 since January last year.
Northern Health recorded 104 of the new infections for a new regional total of 3,213.
The latest three-day case counts are as follows:
- 527 = Friday to Saturday
- 471 = Saturday to Sunday
- 346 = Sunday to Monday
Dr. Henry made another plea for the public to help bend the curve once more as the province appears to be plateauing at an average of 500 cases each day.
"While we’re getting a handle on long-term care, the virus continues to circulate in our communities [...] We are still at risk," she said.
"I'm asking you more than ever to stay at home, to focus on those key things that keep us together, focusing on work, [...] focusing so that our children can still go to school. Now is not the time to fall through despite us being tired, and frustrated, and wanting it to be over. We are so close but we need to do this now."
There are currently 4,392 active cases for COVID-19 in B.C., which includes 68 people admitted into critical care among 328 hospitalizations.
In the north, 16 people are in critical care or ICU out of 47 in hospital.
There are also 6,607 people under active public health monitoring after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, and 57,831 recoveries.
Two more cases of the COVID-19 strain first identified in South Africa have been diagnosed in B.C., bringing the total to three and all of whom were community-detected and no travel involved.
The latest situation report posted Friday (Jan. 22) by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) also shows six cases of the strain first found in the United Kingdom, all of which are linked to travel.
Both variants are thought to spread faster than earlier strains.
Dr. Henry has said the first person diagnosed with the South African strain in B.C. had neither travelled nor had contact with anyone who did, which is concerning.
The situation report, which contains the latest available data as of Jan. 16, says the other two cases reported no travel outside Canada or unknown travel status.
The steady pace of vaccinations is set to be disrupted as the province expects a drop in new supplies during the next couple weeks.
Henry explained the first and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will now be administered 42 days apart for the time being.
Pfizer last week informed Canadian officials last week that it would not be sending any vaccine doses to the country this week as the pharmaceutical giant attempts to revamp its manufacturing capacity in Europe.
Henry did not state how much vaccine is expected from Pfizer next week.
As of Monday, B.C. has administered 119,850 doses:
- 87,788 doses from Pfizer
- 32,062 doses from Moderna
In the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Health Service Delivery Area of Case Residence report from the BCCDC, the north recorded 356 cases from Jan. 16 to 21, 2021, including 113 in the northern interior region, which includes Prince George.
Today, Northern Health announced three more deaths linked to COVID-19 at University Hospital of Northern BC's (UHNBC) Internal Medicine Unit, bringing the death toll to eight since an outbreak was declared Dec. 29.
There are currently 33 lab-confirmed cases associated with the outbreak, including 21 patients and 12 staff after an additional case was found in a patient.
It's one of two outbreaks in Prince George the regional authority is tending to.
Jubilee Lodge appears to be doing better as Northern Health's last update had only reported one new positive test for the virus for a to-date total of 62 since Dec. 12 with only two active cases and 32 recoveries.
No new deaths were reported, keeping the toll at 14.
The outbreak at UHNBC's Rehabilitation Unit has been declared over after only detecting three cases since Jan. 4 and none new since Jan. 9.
As of this publication, a 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. 20-21, 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-Nak'azdli Fort St. James) - 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 School - 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 School (SD82) - Jan. 4, 2021
- Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021
- Mountain Christian School (Independent) - Dec. 18, 2020
- Dec. 18, 2020 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
- Cedars Christian School (Independent) Prince George - Dec. 14-16
- Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30, 2020
- Bert Ambrose Elementary School (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 School (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 Jess Fedigan, PrinceGeorgeMatters; Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver, and The Canadian Press
