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COVID-19 claims eight more B.C. lives over weekend while surpassing 80K total cases

Northern Health added 114 new infections since Friday (Feb. 26)
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
Dr. Bonnie Henry - June 4, 2020
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer. | Flickr/Province of B.C.

B.C. is beginning the month of March on a sad note in terms of COVID-19 deaths.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported in a written update this afternoon (March 1) that eight more people succumbed to the virus since Friday (Feb. 26), raising the death toll to 1,363 during the pandemic.

The province also reached a milestone to more than 80,000 COVID-19 cases since January 2020, with 1,478 new infections in 72 hours for a new grand total of 80,672.

Of those new cases, Northern Health recorded 114 for an updated authority total of 4,625 since March 2020. There were no new deaths in the region, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) reports, keeping the toll at 106.

The latest three-day case counts are as follows:

  • 532 = Friday to Saturday
  • 508 = Saturday to Sunday
  • 438 = Sunday to Monday

“There have been 42 new confirmed COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern in our province, for a total of 158 cases," Dr. Henry added.

"Of the total cases, 10 cases are active and the remaining people have recovered. This includes 137 cases of the B.1.1.7 (U.K.) variant and 21 cases of the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant."

There are currently 4,464 people listed with active cases in B.C., 65 of whom are in critical care or ICU out of 236 hospitalizations, along with 8,210 people under active public health monitoring after coming into contact with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

A total of 74,776 people have recovered.

In Northern Health, there are 303 active cases for the virus, 13 people admitted into critical care among 29 in hospital and 4,200 recoveries.

Earlier today, B.C. announced it's extending the interval between the first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses from 42 to 112 days (16 weeks) in a bid to accelerate its immunization plan.

By March 8, Phase Two of the rollout will begin with seniors 90 years and older as well as Indigenous people 65 years and older being able to book appointments through their local health authority’s call centre, but stressed to only do so when they're eligible.

That will expand to those 85 years and older by March 15 and 80 years and older by March 22, while vaccinations for the above groups will begin a week later.

Instructions for call centre bookings and local health authority call centre numbers are available at gov.bc.ca/bcseniorsfirst.

The up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event is as follows: 

  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 16-19, 22, 2021
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 22-23, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 22-23, 2021
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 19, 2021
  • Annunciation School - Prince Rupert (Diocese of Prince George) - Feb. 17-19, 22-23, 2021
  • Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary - Hazelton (SD82) - Feb. 17-19, 22-24, 2021
  • Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
  • Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Feb. 17-19, 2021
  • Chief Matthews School - Old Massett Village (Independent) - Feb. 17, 2021
  • Notre Dame School (Private) - Feb. 16-18, 2021
  • Sk'aadgaa Naay Elementary (SD50) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Gidgalang Kuuyas Naay Secondary (SD50) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 16, 2021
  • Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 16, 2021
  • Kispiox Community School (Independent) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Lac des Bois Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Spruceland Traditional Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 10-12, 2021
  • Kispiox Community School (Independent) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 11, 2021
  • Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
  • Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Feb. 17-18, 2021; Feb. 11-12 and 16, 2021
  • Chief Matthews School - Old Massett Village (Independent) - Feb. 12, 2021
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Feb. 9-12, 2021
  • Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Feb. 8, 2021
  • Duchess Park Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 9-12, 2021
  • Crescent Park Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 2, 3, 10, 2021
  • Dr. Kearny Middle (SD60) - Feb. 11, 12, 2021
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
  • Cedars Christian (Independent, Prince George) - Feb. 10-12, 2021
  • Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 2-5, 2021
  • Dawson Creek Secondary - Central Campus (SD59) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
  • Cedars Christian - Prince George (SD57) - Feb. 8, 2021
  • Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 4-5, 8, 10, 2021
  • Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Feb. 3-5, 8, 2021
  • Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 10, 2021
  • Spruceland Traditional School (SD57) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 8-10, 2021
  • Pacific Coast School (SD52) - Feb. 4, 2021
  • Giscome Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 4, 2021
  • Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Feb. 5, 8, 2021
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 3-4, 2021
  • Bear Valley School (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
  • Thornhill Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 2-3, 2021
  • Cassie Hall Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 5, 2021
  • Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Feb. 1-3, 2021
  • Suwilaawks Community School (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
  • Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 8, 2021
  • Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Feb. 1-3, 2021
  • Tremblay Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 2, 2021
  • Cedars Christian - Prince George (Independent) - Feb. 1, 2021
  • Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 3, 2021
  • Pineridge Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 3, 2021
  • Port Edward Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 1, 2021
  • Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 26-29, 2021
  • Heritage Elementary (SD57) - Jan. 26, 2021
  • Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 25-27, 2021; Jan. 28-29, 2021
  • Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 28-29, 2021
  • Decker Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 22-26, 2021
  • Notre Dame in Dawson Creek (Private) - Jan. 25, 2021
  • Fraser Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 25, 2021
  • Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 20-22, 2021; Jan. 26-27, 2021; Jan. 27-29, 2021
  • Gudangaay Tlaats'gaa Naay Secondary (SD50) - Jan. 22, 2021
  • Heritage Elementary (SD57) - Jan. 20-22, 2021
  • Nak'albun Elementary (Independent) - Jan. 18, 2021
  • Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Jan. 19-21, 2021
  • Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 20-21, 2021
  • Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Jan. 8, 2021; Jan. 12-13, 2021
  • Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 13-15, 2021
  • Houston Secondary (SD54) - Jan. 13-15, 2021
  • Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Jan. 15, 2021
  • Nak'albun Elementary (Independent) - Jan. 11-14, 2021
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Jan. 12-13, 2021
  • DP Todd Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 4-6, 2021; Jan. 11-12, 2021
  • Chalo School (Independent, Fort Nelson First Nation) - Jan. 5-7, 2021; Jan. 6-8, 2021
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021; Jan. 11, 2021; 13-14, 2021
  • Clearview Elementary-Junior Secondary (SD60) - Jan. 7-8, 2021
  • Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 11-12, 2021
  • Houston Secondary (SD54) - Jan. 11-13, 2021
  • Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Jan. 11, 2021
  • Conrad Elementary (SD52) Jan. 11-13, 2021
  • Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 8, 2021
  • Lax Kxeen Elementary (SD52) - Jan. 7-8, 12, 2021
  • Decker Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 4-6, 2021
  • Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 6-7, 2021
  • Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Jan. 4-6, 2021
  • McNaughton Secondary (SD28) - Jan. 6-8, 2021
  • Valemount Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 6, 2021
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Jan. 4, 2021
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021
  • Mountain Christian (Independent) - Dec. 18, 2020
    • Dec. 18, 2020 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
  • Cedars Christian - Prince George (Independent) - Dec. 14-16, 2020
    • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30, 2020
  • Bert Ambrose Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 17-18, 2020
    • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
  • Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 10-11, 2020
    • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
    • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
    • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
    • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Ecole Mountain View Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
    • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 11, 2020
    • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25 
  • Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 14-16, 2020
    • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
    • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30
  • Alwin Holland Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31
  • North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ended 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 ended Dec. 30, 2020
    • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
  • Pinewood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 14-15, 2020; Dec. 14-18, 2020
    • Dec. 14-15 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
    • Dec. 14-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
  • Southridge Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 10, 2020
    • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ended 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 ended Dec. 25, 2020
  • Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 2020
    • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020 
  • Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 9; Dec. 8, 2020
    • Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
    • Dec. 9 = Self-monitoring endedDec. 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 ended Dec 24, 2020
    • Dec. 8-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec.25, 2020
  • Mountain View Christian Academy (Independent) - Dec. 8-10, 2020; Dec. 7-8, 2020
    • Dec. 7-8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
    • Dec. 8-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
  • Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Dec. 4, 7-11, 14-17, 2020
    • Dec. 4, 7-11,14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
  • Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) - Dec. 9-10, 2020; Dec. 13-15, 2020
    • Dec. 9-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
    • Dec. 13-15 = Self-monitoring ended 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 ended Dec. 25, 2020
  • College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10-11, 2020; Dec. 17-18, 2020
    • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
    • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
  • DP 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 ended Dec. 22, 2020
  • Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
    • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
  • Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Dec. 7, 2020; Oct. 15-16, 2020
  • Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 2-3, 4, 2020
  • Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Dec. 3-4, 2020; Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 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 ended 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 ended 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 ended 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 ended 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

Northern Health's school-exposure section also 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 Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver