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B.C. alcohol sales, service ordered to cease early on New Year's Eve amid COVID-19

Northern Health hits new single-day case count record
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
2020111719114-5fb465d0ed5556cf1fd123e1jpeg (1)DRBONNIEHENRY431243214321
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. / The Canadian Press

Health officials in B.C. have put a new order into place but only for one evening. 

With New Year's Eve tomorrow (Dec. 31) and many looking to celebrate the end of 2020, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced liquor sales and service must cease at 8 p.m. tomorrow evening until 9 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2021.

Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix put the order into effect to help reduce the chance of transmission, especially as celebrations occur later in the evening. 

Dr. Henry specifically pointed to people waiting and gathering in areas such as restaurants, watching for midnight, and then gather in larger groups after. She hopes alcohol cut-off being earlier will help discourage behaviours where spread can happen and keep staff safety in mind.

As for the daily update, officials announced another 485 COVID-19 cases discovered in B.C. during the past 24 hours. 

As of today (Dec. 30), the provincial total is 51,300. 

Of the newly announced cases, Northern Health had 84, which brings the recorded total to 1,974 since March.

The 84 cases mark a new single-day case count record for the authority. 

There are 7,551 people listed as active for COVID-19 throughout the province, 319 are in hospital with 77 in critical care.

Henry announced there have been another 11 deaths in the past day, bringing the death toll to 893.

Another 9,320 are under active public health monitoring after being exposed to someone with the virus. The number still excludes Northern Health.

Northern Health announced this morning it has declared a precautionary outbreak at UHNBC in Prince George after six confirmed cases in the Internal Medicine Unit. 

The authority says two patients and four staff tested positive for the virus. 

Officials say there is no evidence of ongoing transmission of COVID-19 within the hospital but enhanced outbreak measures are in place.

"Northern Health Medical Health Officers have declared a precautionary outbreak related to the Internal Medicine Unit – two patients and four staff have tested positive for COVID-19," a statement reads. 

"Northern Health care facilities have implemented very clear policies and procedures for COVID-19 infection prevention and control, to limit the risk of transmission to patients, staff and physicians at UHNBC."

There is an increased frequency of cleaning and infection measures being implemented as well as enhanced symptom monitoring among all patients and staff. 

The declaration will be in place until at least 14 days after any potential exposure to a lab-confirmed case. If there is still no evidence of transmission of illness after that time, the outbreak can be declared over. 

Northern Health currently has outbreaks at Prince George's Jubilee Lodge, LNG Canada's Project Site in Kitimat (Diversified), CGL worksites: Burns Lake area - 7 Mile Lodge, Nechako LHA, Fraser Lake area - Little Rock Lake Lodge.

Sadly, Northern Health also announced yesterday there had been another three deaths at Jubilee Lodge in Prince George, raising the death toll to 10 since an outbreak was declared on Dec. 12. 

Eight new cases involving seven residents and one staff member were also confirmed. The total recorded case numbers to date include 48 residents and 11 staff. 

On Sunday (Dec. 27), B.C. health officials revealed the province had recorded its first confirmed case involving the COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom. 

Henry and Dix confirmed the individual, who resides in the Island Health region, returned from the U.K. on flight AC855 on Dec. 15, developed symptoms while in quarantine and was immediately tested.

Testing confirmed the positive diagnosis on Dec. 19 and a small number of close contacts have been isolated and public health is following up with them daily.

The variant strain was detected by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Public Health Laboratory in its review of all isolates from people who had recently returned from travel to the U.K.

Whole-genome sequencing at the BCCDC identified this as the same as the variant seen in the U.K. officals say ongoing review may identify additional cases in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the federal government says it plans to require air travellers to test negative for COVID-19 before landing in Canada.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says cabinet ministers decided this morning to quickly enact the new requirement.

All passengers on flights entering Canada will require a negative PCR test three days before their arrival.

LeBlanc didn't say when the requirement will be in place.

The announcement follows criticism that federal travel restrictions and quarantine rules have been too lax.

Northern Health also continues to update school exposures that took place before students left for the holiday break.

As of publication, The full up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for the virus is as follows: 

  • Mountain Christian School (Independent) - Dec. 18, 2020
    • Dec. 18, 2020 = Self-monitoring ends Jan. 1, 2021
  • Cedars Christian School (Independent) Prince George - Dec. 14-16
    • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 30, 2020
  • Bert Ambrose Elementary School (SD60) - Dec. 17-18, 2020
    • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ends Jan. 1, 2021
  • Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 10-11, 2020
    • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
    • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
    • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
  • Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
    • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
  • Ecole Mountain View Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
    • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
  • Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 11, 2020
    • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25 
  • Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 14-16, 2020
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25
    • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 30
  • Alwin Holland Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 31
  • North Peace Secondary School (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ends 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 ends Dec. 30, 2020
    • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ends Jan. 1, 2021
  • Pinewood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 14-15, 2020; Dec. 14-18, 2020
    • Dec. 14-15 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 29, 2020
    • Dec. 14-18 = Self monitoring ends Jan. 1, 2021
  • Southridge Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 10, 2020
    • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ends 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 ends Dec. 25, 2020
  • Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 2020
    • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25, 2020 
  • Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 9; Dec. 8, 2020
    • Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 22, 2020
    • Dec. 9 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 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 ends Dec 24, 2020
    • Dec. 8-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec.25, 2020
  • Mountain View Christian Academy (Independent) - Dec. 8-10, 2020; Dec. 7-8, 2020
    • Dec. 7-8 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 22, 2020
    • Dec. 8-10 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 24, 2020
  • Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Dec. 4, 7-11, 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 4, 7-11,14-17 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 31, 2020
  • Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) - Dec. 9-10, 2020; Dec. 13-15, 2020
    • Dec. 9-10 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 24, 2020
    • Dec. 13-15 = Self-monitoring ends 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 ends Dec. 25, 2020
  • College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10-11, 2020; Dec. 17-18, 2020
    • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25, 2020
    • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ends Jan. 1, 2021
  • D.P. 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 ends Dec. 22, 2020
  • Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
    • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 24, 2020
  • Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Dec. 7, 2020; Oct. 15-16, 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
  • 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 ends 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 ends 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 ends 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 ends 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

The full list of flights flagged for COVID-19 exposure involving YXS in Prince George is as follows (as of publication): 

  • March 5 = Air Canada flight 8209 from Vancouver to Prince George - rows nine to 15
  • March 12 = Central Mountain Air flight 9M728 from Prince George to Kelowna - rows not reported
  • March 15 = Central Mountain Air flight 9M725 from Kelowna to Prince George - rows not reported
  • Aug. 21 = Air Canada flight 8212 from Prince George to Vancouver - rows six to 12
  • Aug. 24 = Flair Air flight 8711 from Vancouver to Prince George - rows 26 to 32
  • Aug. 24 = Flair Air flight 8711 from Prince George to Edmonton - rows 26 to 32
  • Oct. 13 = Flair Air flight 8187 from Prince George to Edmonton - rows 10 to 16
  • Oct. 18 = Air Canada flight 8209 from Vancouver to Prince George - rows eight to 14
  • Oct. 18 = Flair Air flight 8186 from Edmonton to Prince George - rows two to six
  • Oct. 22 = WestJet flight 3287 from Vancouver to Prince George - rows three to nine
  • Oct. 31 = Flair Airlines flight 8186 from Edmonton to Prince George - rows not reported
  • Nov. 2 = Flair Airlines flight 8187 from Prince George to Edmonton - rows 26 to 32
  • Nov. 10 = Air Canada flight 8201 from Vancouver to Prince George - rows one to seven
  • Nov. 23 = WestJet flight 3297 from Vancouver to Prince George - rows not reported
  • Nov. 24 = WestJet flight 3290 from Prince George to Vancouver - rows not reported
  • Nov. 24 = WestJet light 3277 from Vancouver to Prince George - rows not reported
  • Nov. 24 = WestJet flight 3282 from Prince George to Vancouver - rows not reported
  • Nov. 26 = WestJet flight 3287 from Vancouver to Prince George - rows not reported
  • Nov. 27 = WestJet flight 3290 from Prince George to Vancouver - rows not reported
  • Dec. 16 = Air Canada/Jazz flight 8208 from Prince George to Vancouver - rows 14 to 20
  • Dec. 16 = WestJet flight 3290 from Prince George to Vancouver - rows 16-19
  • Dec. 18 = WestJet flight 3287 from Vancouver to Prince George – rows 15 -19
  • Dec. 18 = Air Canada/Jazz flight 8208 from Prince George to Vancouver - rows one to four
  • Dec. 19 = WestJet flight 3290 flight from Prince George to Vancouver - rows four to 10

- with files from Hanna Petersen and Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters