B.C.'s COVID-19 situation is still getting worse.
This afternoon (Oct. 29), Dr. Bonnie Henry alongside Minister of Health Adrian Dix and President and CEO of Fraser Health Dr. Victoria Lee announced 234 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases across the province which brings the total to 14,109.
Northern Health has recorded another seven, which puts the authority over a new plateau to 406 since March. Yesterday, Dr. Henry announced 16 new cases, which is the new daily record for the north.
A total of 86 people are currently hospitalized, 24 of whom are in ICU, while there are 2,344 active cases and 5,714 people are under active public health monitoring due to exposure to the virus. A total of 11,448 have fully recovered.
Another death was recorded, which brings the total to 262.
Instead of her usual location in Vancouver or Victoria, Henry appeared in Surrey today, showing her support for those in Fraser Health as case numbers continue to soar.
“We are here because in recent weeks, COVID-19 has disproportionately affecting communities in the Fraser Valley,” Henry said.
There are 24 seniors' long-term care and assisted living facilities that also have outbreaks.
There have been 4,545 recorded cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 8,036 in Fraser Health, 256 in Island Health and 734 in Interior Health. There are another 55 people who are left unaccounted for, with health officials telling Glacier Media that the most likely explanation is that they left the province without alerting health officials.
Earlier today in the north, a second Prince George school was added to the potential exposure-alert list.
The authority says Immaculate Conception School, part of the Diocese of Prince George, was potentially exposed between Oct. 21 and 23.
This is the ninth school-related exposure in Northern Health's jurisdiction.
The other eight schools are:
- Fort Nelson Secondary School (SD81) - Oct. 15-16, 2020
- Notre Dame School (Private) - Oct. 13-14, 2020
- Prince George Secondary School (SD57) - Oct. 2, 2020
- Dawson Creek Secondary School - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Sept. 23-25, 2020
- David Hoy Elementary School (SD91) - Sept. 17-18, 2020
- Quesnel Junior Secondary School (SD28) - Sept. 10-11, 15-18, 2020
- Nak’albun Elementary School (Independent) - Sept. 16-18, 2020
- Ecole Frank Ross Elementary School (SD59) - Sept. 10-11, 2020
Should a student or teacher receive a positive COVID-19 test, Northern Heath's school notification process is as follows:
- 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 Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver
