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Northern Health records 37 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths in past day

Numbers come as first vaccines administered Tuesday
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer

While today marked a big milestone in the fight against COVID-19, it was also a sombre one. 

In a written statement this afternoon (Dec. 15), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 522 cases recorded in the last 24 hours for a new grand total of 43,463 since the pandemic struck the province almost a year ago.

Of those, Northern Health has 37, which brings the authority's recorded number to 1,368.

There are 9,860 people listed as active for COVID-19 throughout the province, 361 are in hospital with 93 in critical care. 

Henry announced another 21 deaths in B.C in the past day which raises the fatality rate to 668.

Northern Health's death toll stands at 15 after another three deaths have been recorded today. 

Additionally, there are 10,768 are under active public health monitoring after being exposed to someone infected with the virus while 31,866 have been classified as fully recovered.

Today shared a glimmer of hope throughout B.C. with the first COVID-19 vaccines being administered to front-line health workers.

The first shipment of just under 4,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccines arrived at two sites in the Lower Mainland yesterday, according to health officials. 

There are “tens of thousands” additional doses to arrive in the coming weeks, officials said last week. Nine sites in all health authorities are expected to be ready to receive vaccine deliveries in the new year.

On Dec. 9, Dr. Henry the broad details of the province's immunization strategy, saying that as more vaccine doses arrive, immunizations will be expanded to community seniors over age of 80, those at risk because of a health condition, and other vulnerable populations, including the homeless and remote First Nations communities.

Later in March and April, the next in line for vaccinations will be other front-line workers: paramedics, firefighters, workers in processing plants, grocery store workers, and teachers, Henry said.

The key is to first take pressure off the healthcare system and care homes, Henry said.

While there is light on the horizon, activity and concerns from the virus in the north continue to grow as hospitalizations and case counts continue to surge.

Yesterday, Northern Health declared an outbreak at Prince George's Jubilee Lodge long-term care home. 

The authority said at least three people inside a Prince George long-term care home adjacent to University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) have tested positive for COVID-19, leading to an outbreak declaration.

The cases involve one Jubilee Lodge staff member and two residents. 

Public health officials and workers are testing Jubilee Lodge residents to identify anyone else that's possibly been infected.

'Precautionary' outbreaks also remain in place for UHNBC's Family Medicine Unit and the Special Care Unit in the East Wing of the Gateway Lodge.

A private school in Prince George was flagged a second time yesterday for COVID-19 exposure. 

Dec. 3 and 4 are the dates listed students and staff may have come into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.

This is in addition to an initial exposure reported Dec. 1 and 2 for the Diocese of Prince George member.

This afternoon, another two Prince George schools were listed. 

For the second time since students went back to the classroom, Heather Park Elementary was flagged as Northern Health says students and staff may potentially come into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus on Dec. 4, 7 and 8.

Its initial exposure warning was dated for Dec. 1 and 2.

The newest institution to be marked for COVID-19 is Westwood Elementary with Northern Health citing Dec. 8 as its lone exposure date.

Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) was also alerted a second time for a COVID-19 event for the first time in about 1.5 months, with Dec. 7 cited as the latest exposure date.

Northern Health's school-exposure section explains students should still go to school "if you do not receive a phone call or letter from Public Health," but you're also encouraged to monitor symptoms daily.

  • 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

The following is a list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event:

  • Fort Nelson Secondary School - Dec. 7, 2020
  • Westwood Elementary School - Dec. 8, 2020
  • Heather Park Elementary School - Dec. 4, 7-8, 2020
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 4, 2020
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 4 and 7, 2020
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 4, 2020
  • Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Dec. 3-4, 2020; Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 2020
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 2-3, 2020
  • Suwilaawks Community School - Terrace (SD82) - Dec. 1-2, 3-4, 2020; Nov. 27, 30, 2020
  • St. Mary's Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 1-2, 3-4, 2020
  • Kitwanga Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-3, 2020
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1-3, 2020; Nov. 18, 2020; Oct. 2, 2020
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
  • Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 2020
  • Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 23-26, 27, 30, 2020
  • Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 2020
  • Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 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
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12-13, 16, 19-20, 24-26, 2020
  • Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 25-27, 2020
  • Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 16-26, 2020
  • 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
  • Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Nov. 16-18, 2020; Sept. 23-25, 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
  • Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Oct. 15-16, 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

The Prince George Airport Authority is also struggling, saying they've seen passenger levels drop by 71 per cent in both October and November. 

A total of 11,519 passengers used the airport in November, while October was higher with 12,835. 

“Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a Travel Advisory on November 19 where she recommended non-essential travel be avoided," Prince George Airport Authority President and CEO Gordon Duke says in a release. 

"Our airline partners have told us many people cancelled their travel plans to oblige.

"We are unsure how the month of December will fare as the Advisory was carried over until January, however public safety is most important at this point.”

YXS has only had one month in 2020 with an improved passenger rating, which, to no surprise, was in February prior to the COVID-19 pandemic when 40,353 people came through the airport.

This equalled a 0.09 per cent increase compared to the same month last year.

The worst month of 2020 for the Prince George Airport Authority, thus far, was April with only 1,899 passengers departing and/or arriving.

- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters, Nelson Bennett, Business In Vancouver