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B.C. breaks COVID-19 single-day count record with 1,293 cases, two more deaths

More than 15,203 people being actively monitored for potential virus exposure
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
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B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (via THE CANADIAN PRESS)

B.C. has shattered another record as the struggle to contain COVID-19 transmission continues.

In an on-camera briefing this afternoon (April 8), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said 1,293 more tests came back positive for the virus across B.C. during the past 24 hours for a new grand total of 108,278.

Of those infections, Northern Health added 51 to push the authority past a new milestone to 6,363 since March 14, 2020.

There have been two new COVID-linked deaths, which raises the province's toll to 1,493.

There are currently 9,184 active cases throughout B.C. with 336 people in hospital, 101 of which are admitted in ICU or critical care. Another 15,203 are under active public health monitoring due to being exposed to someone diagnosed with the virus.

A total of 97,462 cases are officially classified as recovered. 

The provincial vaccination plan has once again expanded, this time by five years. 

Today (April 8), the province announced those aged 65 and older can now register online, on the phone or in-person, which applies to all health authorities.

Those born in 1956 or earlier are eligible.

Indigenous 18 years of age and older remain eligible to book an appointment, as well as individuals who have received a ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ letter.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, details are available on the B.C. government's website.

In education, up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a recent COVID-19 exposure event, and listed with a self-monitoring period, is as follows:

  • Dawson Creek Secondary, South Peace Campus (SD59) - March 31-April 1, 2021
  • Robert Ogilvie Elementary (SD60) - March 31, 2021
  • Canalta Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021
  • Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - March 29, 2021
  • Dawson Creek Secondary, South Peace Campus (SD59) - March 29, 2021
  • Lax Kxeen Elementary (SD52) - March 29-30, 2021
  • Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - March 29-30, 2021
  • Devereaux Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021
  • Dawson Creek Secondary (SD59) - March 31, 2021
  • Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - March 29, 2021

In all instances, Northern Health's school-exposure section explains the following:

  • 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 Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters