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COVID-19 ICU admissions in B.C. reach record-high amid 874 new cases

Health officials announce another death in the province
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
dr-bonnie-henry-covid-19-cp-2
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.Canadian Press

B.C.'s hospital system continues to remain under significant strain amid COVID-19 admissions. 

In an on-camera briefing this afternoon (April 29), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said 874 more tests came back positive for the virus across B.C. during the past 24 hours for a new grand total of 128,763.

Of those infections, Northern Health added 24, raising the authority total to 7,140 since March 2020.

There has been one new COVID-linked death, raising the province's toll to 1,577.

There are  503 people in hospital across B.C., 178 of which are admitted in ICU or critical care.

The 178 people in ICU or critical care is a new record.

Earlier today, Northern Health declared a COVID-19 at Site C in Fort St. John, but construction is set to go on at the megaproject.

Seven of the 13 active cases for the virus among two clusters are linked to the outbreak and BC Hydro says steps are being taken to ensure the safety of every workforce member moving forward.

The declaration will be in effect for 28 days retroactive to Wednesday (April 28), and Northern Health says there's no need to close or postpone construction at this time.

"The outbreak is among workers of Peace River Hydro Partners, the project’s main civil works contractor, specifically those working in the contractor’s office complex and on the dam core excavation," explains BC Hydro in a news release, adding 100 workers are currently isolating either at home or at the site.

"Northern Health has determined there is no need to stop work on the project, and work will continue as planned."

According to Northern Health, there are 34 lab-confirmed cases identified among five clusters of COVID-19 activity.

Since March 1, 2021, more than 40 lab-confirmed infections have been reported at the $16-billion project in Fort St. John and 91 since the pandemic reached the north a year ago.

“Over the last year, we’ve implemented a comprehensive plan to avoid the spread of COVID-19 at Site C, including aligning with health guidelines, screening every person accessing the site daily, using thermal scanners at various entry and exit points, and maintaining increased cleaning and physical distancing,” says President and CEO Chris O’Riley.

“However, the declaration of the outbreak demonstrates that we need to do better, and we will. In addition to the steps we are already taking, we will look to implement further measures in the coming days.”

He adds BC Hydro will continue working with Northern Health to ensure all public health guidelines are being met.

School exposure notices also continue to pile up in the northern region, an up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for COVID-19 exposure warnings in the north in April is as follows:

  • Taylor Elementary (SD60) - April 19-20, 2021
  • Dawson Creek Secondary, Central Campus (SD59) - April 19-20, 2021
  • Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - April 19-21, 2021
  • Bouchie Lake Elementary (SD28) - April 20-23, 2021
  • Kildala Elementary (SD82) - April 20, 2021
  • Alwin Holland Elementary (SD60) - April 8-9, 13, 19, 2021
  • Upper Pine Elementary (SD60) - April 13-14, 2021
  • École Central Elementary (SD60) - April 14, 2021
  • Tremblay Elementary (SD59) - April 12, 15 and 19, 2021
  • École Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - April 14, 2021
  • Dawson Creek Secondary - Central Campus (SD59) - April 14, 16 and 19, 2021
  • Crescent Park Elementary (SD59) - April 13, 15-16, 2021
  • Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - April 14-16, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - April 15-16, 2021
  • Doctor Kearney Middle (SD60) - April 15-16, 2021
  • Mountain Christian School Society (Independent) - April 16, 2021
  • Buckhorn Elementary (SD57) - April 12, 2021
  • Cassie Hall Elementary (SD82) - April 5-6, 12-16, 2021
  • Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - April 13-15, 2021
  • Thornhill Elementary (SD82) - April 13-15, 2021
  • Doctor Kearney Middle (SD60) - April 14, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - April 14, 2021
  • Mountain Christian School Society (Independent) - April 13-15, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - April 8-9, 13, 2021
  • Freedom Thinkers Education (Independent) - April 12-13, 2021
  • Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - April 7-9, 12-13, 2021
  • Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - April 8-9, 13, 2021
  • Doctor Kearney Middle (SD60) - April 8-9, 2021
  • R.L. Angus Elementary (SD81) - April 12-13, 2021
  • Energetic Learning Campus (SD60) - April 14-15, 2021
  • Buckhorn Elementary (SD57) - April 13-15, 2021
  • Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - April 6-8, 12-14, 2021
  • Evelyn Dickson Elementary (SD91) - April 9, 2021
  • Chetwynd Secondary (SD59) - April 12, 2021
  • Morfee Elementary (SD57) - April 3-5, 2021
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - April 7, 12-16, 2021
  • Energetic Learning Campus, Fort St. John (SD60) - April 12-13, 2021
  • Hudson's Hope Elementary and Junior Secondary (SD60) - April 12, 2021
  • Doctor Kearney Middle (SD60) - April 12-13, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - April 12-13, 2021
  • Tremblay Elementary (SD59) - April 7-9, 2021
  • College Heights Secondary (SD57) - April 12-13, 2021
  • École Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - April 6-9, 2021
  • Houston Christian School (Independent) - April 7-9, April 12-13, 2021
  • Notre Dame Catholic School (Independent) - April 7, 2021
  • Twain Sullivan Elementary (SD54) - April 7-9, April 12-13, 2021
  • Houston Secondary (SD54) - April 7-9, 12-13, 2021
  • Sliverthorne Elementary (SD54) - April 7-9, April 12-13, 2021
  • Energetic Learning Campus (SD60) - April 8-9, 2021
  • École Mountain View Elementary (SD82) - April 6, 2021
  • École College Heights Elementary (SD57) - April 6-8, 2021
  • St. Anthony's Catholic School, Kitimat (Independent) - April 6, 2021
  • Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - April 6, 2021
  • Kispiox Community School (Independent) - April 6, 2021
  • Mountain Christian School Society (Independent) - April 6, 2021
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - April 6, 2021
  • Canalta Elementary (SD59) - April 6, 2021
  • Duchess Park Secondary (SD57) - April 6, 2021
  • Kersley Elementary (SD28) - April 6-8, 2021

- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters