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B.C. records another 12 COVID-19 deaths, 444 new cases

Death toll rises to 777
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
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B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (via Government of B.C./Flickr)

While COVID-19 numbers seem to be levelling off in other authorities throughout B.C., things are still extremely rocky in the north. 

In a written statement this afternoon (Dec. 22), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced B.C. has recorded 444 COVID-19 cases in the past day. 

The province's grand total now sits at 47,510 since the pandemic hit in January. 

Of the newly announced cases, Northern Health has added 22, which brings the recorded total to 1,621.

There are 9,481 people listed as active for COVID-19 throughout the province, 357 are in hospital with 84 in critical care.

Henry announced another 12 deaths in B.C in the past day which raises the fatality rate to 777.

Northern Health revealed this morning there have been four deaths at the Jubilee Lodge long-term care facility in Prince George, where an outbreak was declared on Dec. 12. 

The facility now has a total of 45 confirmed cases with health officials saying 38 residents have tested positive while seven staff members also contracted the virus. 

“The toll that COVID-19 has had on many of our most cherished, but most vulnerable, members of our communities has been heavy,” Northern Health CEO Cathy Ulrich said in a release.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to residents of Jubilee Lodge and their families as well as to their caregivers; the staff, nurses and physicians who continue to provide excellent and compassionate care during understandably challenging circumstances.”

When the outbreak was originally declared on Dec. 12, Northern Health reported just one staff member and two residents were involved. 

Nine more cases were then announced on Dec. 16, which involved six more residents and another three staff members, bringing the to-date total to 12.

“Increased vigilance and testing during an outbreak often means that we expect to find additional cases of COVID-19,” Northern Health Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Jong Kim added.

“It also highlights the need to take great care to protect those we know can be most vulnerable to this virus, and I appreciate that Jubilee Lodge staff are doing all they can to support and care for its residents.”

Northern Health currently has additional outbreaks declared at the LNG Canada Project Site (declared Nov. 19), North Peace Seniors Housing Society apartments (declared Nov. 22), LNG Canada Project Site involving Diversified (declared Dec. 16) and CGL worksites, 7 Mile Lodge and Little Rock Lake Lodge involving Coastal Gas Link (declared Dec. 19). 

As winter break for students has begun for most schools, Northern Health is still warning communities of COVID-19 exposure events.

It is also now listing the dates when self-monitoring for symptoms will end for potentially impacted students and staff. 

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

  • Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 14-16, 2020; Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 2020
    • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 30, 2020
  • Pinewood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 14-15, 2020
    • Dec. 14-15 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 29, 2020
  • 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. 9-10 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 24, 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. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ends Dec. 25, 2020
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Health officials also say there have been _____ doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine given in B.C., with Dr. Bonnie Henry even receiving her first dose today on Vancouver Island, per Minister of Health Adrian Dix. 

"I am getting immunized to demonstrate my full confidence in the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine and to show my support for health care workers across BC who have worked so hard during this pandemic," Henry said today.

"This is a safe and effective vaccine that is helping to make our communities safer.”

Northern Health received its first batch yesterday (Dec. 21) and vaccinations began today, and Prince George Jubilee Lodge care-aide Biserka Becker received the first shot in the region today.  

Intensive Care Lead at UHNBC Dr. Marietije Slabbert also received one of the first vaccinations. Slabbert is considered a high-risk health care worker because she works with COVID-19 patients that are critical. 

“This has been a really long journey for people working in health care, and the community at large, and it’s wonderful that this vaccine has finally arrived in the North; it’s like the best Christmas present ever," she said in a news release. 

“The teams of physicians, nurses, care aides, cleaners -- everybody has been working so hard, and we’ll continue working hard to get this vaccine to every person in the North who wants to be vaccinated.”

The authority says high-risk health care workers, and long-term care and assisted-living residents are among the priority groups that'll receive the free vaccine first, as predetermined by B.C.'s Ministry of Health.

"Vaccines do more than protect the people being immunized, they also protect everyone around them," reads a statement from Northern Health on the momentous occasion.

"As more vaccines are approved by Health Canada and shipment volumes ramp up, more communities and more groups of people will receive the COVID-19 vaccine."

Northern Health is also expecting Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine to ultimately be approved by Health Canada sometime in the new year.

- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters