The anniversary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a global pandemic was on Thursday (March 11).
As we approach one year later of its arrival in our region, we take a look back at the key ‘firsts’ involving COVID-19 in Northern Health.
FIRST COVID-19 CASE(s)
March 14, 2020, was the day COVID-19 was officially confirmed in northern B.C.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said two people were originally diagnosed in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, but drove back to their home in Northern Health under strict protocols.
They then isolated themselves and monitored symptoms for 14 days.
Both Northern Health and Dr. Henry did not confirm which communities they were from or were going to, nor how they transmitted the virus in the first place citing privacy.
At the time, B.C. had recorded 73 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases since the virus reached the province in January 2020.
As of this publication (March 12, 2021), Northern Health has tested positively for 5,045 infections.
FIRST COVID-19 DEATH
Six months after the first infection was detected, Northern Health saw its first virus-linked death.
On Sept. 14, 2020, Dr. Henry confirmed a woman in her 70s passed away.
She explained the woman contracted COVID-19 after attending ‘an event,’ but did not disclose where she died and which event specifically.
Dr. Henry also said it was a community transmission and one of six people who died across B.C. this past weekend, bringing the toll to 219.
As of this publication, 110 Northern Health residents have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.
FIRST COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN PRINCE GEORGE
The first full COVID-19 outbreak in Prince George was declared at the Jubilee Lodge long-term care home on Dec. 12, 2020.
It lasted for 62 days until Feb. 11, 2021.
However, 17 residents died after contracting the virus out of 48 confirmed cases in the facility, 14 among staff members.
Northern Health has resumed social visits while following COVID-19 prevention protocols, and notes those who wish to visit must make arrangements beforehand.
FIRST COVID-19 SCHOOL EXPOSURE EVENT IN PRINCE GEORGE
Nearly a month after students returned to the classroom for 2020-21 under strict COVID-19 protocols, Prince George Secondary (PGSS) experienced an exposure event.
Northern Health listed PGSS for a COVID-19 event on Oct. 2, 2020, when students and staff may have come into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.
Since then, the school has been alerted six times for an exposure event.
In total, Northern Health has warned 24 Prince George-based institutions for the virus, including 21 within School District 57 (SD57) and three private facilities.
FIRST COVID-19 VACCINATION
Health Canada approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 9, 2020.
Nearly two weeks later, on the morning of Dec. 21, the doses made their way to Prince George and in the hands of Northern Health.
Kept in the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC), the first needle was administered to Biserka Becker, a care aide in Jubilee Lodge, less than 24 hours later.
Nine health care workers in the long-term care home and UHNBC were part of the inaugural vaccinated group.
At the time, the B.C. Ministry of Health and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, mandated that high-risk health care workers and residents in long-term and assisted-living facilities were the first priority groups to get vaccinated.
Since then, Northern Health has moved to Phase Two of its immunization plan which includes seniors over 80 years old and Indigenous elders aged 65 and older.
