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Northern Health records 12 COVID-19 cases over final August weekend, B.C. (once again) breaks active-case record

Four people died from the virus in last three days
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
Dr. Bonnie Henry - Aug. 27, 2020
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C. Provincial Health Officer. (via Flickr/Province of B.C.)

More COVID-19 cases are appearing in northern B.C., as proven by today's (Aug. 31) update from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

The authority added 12 new positive cases since Friday (Aug. 28) out of the province's 294 case-count, bringing our region's total to 154 since March.

As of Monday afternoon, there are 5,790 cases in all of B.C. since the pandemic began in January.

The single-day counts over the latest three-day report are as follows:

  • 86 = Friday to Saturday (Aug. 28-29)
  • 107 = Saturday to Sunday (Aug. 29-30)
  • 101 = Sunday to Monday (Aug. 30-31)
    • This is the first time the province recorded 100-plus cases back-to-back during COVID-19

Of the new total, 1,107 are active, which breaks the record set on Friday at 974.

There are 28 people hospitalized, two of which are in Northern Health, 10 people are in critical care and 4,406 have recovered (76 per cent).

Four more people, including three in long-term care homes, succumbed to the virus over the final weekend of August; the death toll is now 208.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says there were 13 deaths from COVID-19 in August in B.C., comparing to 41 in Alberta and 84 in Quebec.

During her update, Dr. Henry hesitated to call this latest surge 'a second wave' as she says it remains primarily among younger, healthy people. 

However, she says, now that summer is coming to a close, “we are entering a new phase of our B.C. COVID-19 pandemic.”

She adds that after the restrictions on work and play in the spring, many British Columbians were able to enjoy a much-needed respite from restrictions by going on summer holidays and generally relaxing their precautions.

“Many of use recharged,” Henry said.

“Now, we must slow down. We must be prepared for the respiratory season.”

Warmer weather is believed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, so with colder weather coming, there could be a resurgence of the virus. And the pressure on the health care system could increase with flu season.

“No one knows for sure what the fall will bring,” Henry said.

More than 2,700 people are on active-health monitoring as they may have come into contact with someone who's experienced COVID-19.

An alert remains in place for the Prespatou region of Northern Health, roughly 100 km north of Fort St. John and 530 km north of Prince George.

The authority says COVID-19 tracing has been able to identify some events and gatherings it believes has led to possible virus exposure, but is unable to follow-up with all contacts. 

On Saturday (Aug. 29), the Nisga'a Valley Health Authority warned its four associated First Nations of a positive COVID-19 case that travelled through its region sometime between Aug. 17 and 28 to attend a funeral.

Whiles no outbreak reported as a result, local residents who attended events linked to the funeral from Aug. 21 to 25 are asked to self-isolate for 14 days and to monitor their symptoms.

Haida Gwaii’s community outbreak was declared over on Friday with all 26 reported cases no longer requiring hospitalization or isolation.

Dr. Henry also declared over Kelowna's community outbreak that followed the Canada Day long weekend in July.

- with files from Nelson Bennett, Business In Vancouver