Eight B.C. residents succumb to COVID-19 over weekend, 99 new cases in Northern Health

Concerns remain aplenty as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to claim more B.C. lives.

Since Friday (Feb. 19), the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) says eight more people died from the virus, two in Northern Health, raising the provincial death toll to 1,335, with 1,428 new infections also detected in the last three days.

B.C.'s grand total is 77,263 since January last year.

Northern Health added 99 of those newly-found cases this past weekend for an updated regional total of 4,351 since March 2020.

The two deaths in the north raise its death toll to 104.

Currently, according to the BCCDC, there are 299 active infections in Northern Health, 13 people admitted into critical care or ICU out of 39 hospitalizations, and 3,933 recoveries.

Its dashboard says case counts in the last 72 hours are as follows:

• 504 = Friday to Saturday
• 475 = Saturday to Sunday
• 449 = Sunday to Monday

Of the 4,560 active cases in the province, 223 are in hospital with 66 in critical care, and 71,313 recoveries.

B.C.'s Health Ministry adds 7,768 people are under active public health monitoring after coming into contact with someone who recently tested positive for the virus.

"There are 28 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants of concern in our province, for a total of 101 cases and two cases of variants that are under investigation," a release continues. 

"Of the total number of cases, four are active and the remaining 97 have now recovered.

"This includes 81 B.1.1.7 (U.K.), 20 B.1.31 (South Africa) and two B.1.525 (Nigeria) variants, the latter of which is under investigation. Of these confirmed cases, 58 are in Fraser Health, 38 are in Vancouver Coastal Health, four are in Island Health and three are in the Interior Health regions."

Earlier this afternoon, the provincial public health office confirmed it received seven concerns of the U.K. B.1.1.7 variant in B.C. schools, all within the Fraser Health Authority, six known Surrey schools and one in Delta.

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says while this isn't surprising news, she acknowledged this wasn't the news parents wanted to hear on the weekend.

"What happens in schools, mirrors what happens in community," she said, claiming the current health protocols in schools are working with minimal transmission found in the seven schools following more tests.

"We need to understand what happened in this particular situation [...] we need to make changes if we're going to make changes based on evidence."

Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reka Gustafson says the variant is being spread the same way the original COVID-19 has been, but this is also a learning curve for investigators to better handle the situation.

"What we do know is that this virus is more efficient with transmitting [...] these are some of the first identifications of the variants in a school setting, so we will learn from this."

She also doesn't recommend altering policies on masks in schools at this time, which currently are mandatory in middle and secondary schools, but it may change if the variants prove to be more concerning for investigators.

According to the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Health Service Delivery Area of Case of Residence data released by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), the northern interior recorded 102 cases from Feb. 12-18, 2021. 

Since January 2020, the region has seen 1,859 total cases.

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

• 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

- with a file from Jess Fedigan, PrinceGeorgeMatters