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UPDATE: COVID-19 U.K. variant reaches Northern Health while virus claims 10 more B.C. lives

Regional authority records 129 infections in three days
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
dr-bonnie-henry-covid-19-cp
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.Canadian Press

A COVID-19 variant has reached northern B.C. for the first time since four were initially detected in the province.

Northern Health confirms to PrinceGeorgeMatters the U.K. variant, known as B.1.1.7, was the region's first variant-of-concern out of 163 new ones found across the province since Friday (March 12).

The authority adds the person who tested positive has completed isolation in a different health region and had no close contacts with northern residents.

This is in addition to 129 lab-confirmed cases of the original coronavirus in Northern Health over the weekend, bringing the authority's grand total to 5,230, announced by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry this afternoon (March 15).

The authority surpassed its one-year anniversary on Sunday (March 14) when the pandemic landed in the region.

Dr. Henry said, of the main virus, 1,506 new infections were found in the last 72 hours for a new grand total of 88,373 since January 2020.

The latest three-day case counts are as follows:

  • 555 = Friday to Saturday
    • Four deaths
  • 491 = Saturday to Sunday 
    • Three deaths
  • 460 = Sunday to Monday
    • Three deaths

She added 10 more people lost their lives to the virus this past weekend for a new to-date toll of 1,407, one of which took place in Northern Health for an updated authority total of 111.

There are currently 4,987 active cases, which include 76 people in critical care among 269 hospitalizations, more than 9,000 under active public health monitoring and 81,890 recoveries.

Of the variants, to which there have now been 880 total cases found, 195 are considered active.

There have been 818 people diagnosed with the B.1.1.7 variant from the U.K., 41 of the B.1.351 (South Africa) and 21 of P.1 (Brazil).

This week, Northern Health is set to begin immunizations and PrinceGeorgeMatters was given a tour of the large-scale vaccination clinic set up in the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre on Friday (March 12).

The authority's goal is to distribute up to 200 vaccinations a day, with each appointment taking about 30 minutes to complete from start to finish.

As of Wednesday last week (March 10), seniors 80 years and older, along with Indigenous elders aged 65 and older, have been allowed to call and book a vaccine appointment with Northern Health.

Call centre hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, and the B.C. government is stressing to only call when it's your turn to do so. 

Those in Northern Health who are eligible are asked to call 1-844-255-7555 to book. 

More clinics will open as eligibility and vaccinations ramp up.

Today, B.C. also laid out specifics of who will qualify for the first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the third to be approved by Health Canada, with those working at food processing plants and certain agricultural businesses, as well as workers staying at large industrial camps as the priority group.

This comes weeks after the province promised doses were being earmarked for first responders and essential workers.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is far easier to transport owing to the fact it does not need to be kept at the same ultra-cold temperatures as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

“The B.C. Immunization Committee is reviewing the latest data and recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to determine additional workplaces that will be prioritized for immunization using the AZ/SII vaccine," a joint statement said this afternoon.

"The updated plan for additional shipments of AZ/SII vaccine will be released in the coming days."

In education, the up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event is as follows:

  • Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace campus (SD59) - March 5, 2021
    • March 5 = Self-monitoring period ends March 19, 2021
  • Kildala Elementary (SD82) - March 8, 2021
    • March 8 = Self-monitoring period ends March 22, 2021
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - March 3-5, 2021
  • Pineview Elementary (SD57) - March 3-5, 2021
  • Lax Kxeen Elementary (SD52) - March 3, 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 Jess Fedigan, PrinceGeorgeMatters, and Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver