After a slight drop yesterday, B.C.'s COVID-19 numbers have shot back up.
In a written statement this afternoon (Nov. 26) Dr. Bonnie Henry revealed another 887 new cases in the past day for an updated provincial total of 29,973 since the pandemic struck B.C. in January.
The 887 cases today are a new provincial record after health officials announced yesterday there had been errors in data which resulted in corrections.
As a result, 255 cases had not been reported.
Yesterday's 738 cases would have been the second-highest total in a 24-hour period, next to Tuesday's reported 941 cases, had it not been for Henry's corrections to past data. Her new numbers show that the highest one-day total was on November 21, when there were 859 cases.
Of those, Northern Health tallied 24 cases, which now brings the region's recorded number to 737 since March.
Data shows the authority currently has 198 active cases with 25 hospitalized, 10 of which are in ICU.
There are 7,899 people listed as active for COVID-19 throughout the province, 294 of whom are in hospital with 64 in critical care.
Henry added a total of 10,307 people are under active public health monitoring due to exposure to someone with COVID-19 while 19,998 have recovered.
Another 13 have died from the virus, which brings the fatality rate total to 384. None of the new deaths are in Northern Health.
Another 13 deaths in the past day. The fatality rate is now 384 #covid19 #covidbc #covid19bc #bcpoli #bced #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) November 26, 2020
Mike Farnworth, B.C.'s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, revealed the fines on Tuesday for those that are not wearing a mask in indoor public and retail spaces or refusing to comply with the orders.
As a result, those who do not wear a mask in these settings can be fined $230.
Anyone that refuses to comply with the direction of an enforcement officer, including being asked to leave the space, or responds with abusive and belligerent behaviour can also be fined.
A 30-year-old man was arrested in Dawson Creek yesterday night (Nov. 25) after he allegedly assaulted a Walmart employee over the province's new mandatory mask policy.
Dawson Creek RCMP S/Sgt. Damon Werrell says, in a release, that police were sent to the local Walmart at roughly 7 p.m. Wednesday night (Nov. 25) after receiving reports of an assault in progress.
When officers arrived, they were told that a customer had allegedly assaulted an employee after being asked to wear a face mask under the new orders issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry and government officials.
Werrell says police reviewed video surveillance and identified the man who was found at his home shortly after.
A 30-year-old man was arrested for assault and mischief, but was released to attend court at a later date.
"Dawson Creek RCMP would like to remind the public that face masks are required in all indoor public spaces, which includes most business establishments in the Peace Region," the release adds.
"While individuals may make a personal decision to not wear a face mask they must then not attend indoor public spaces.
"RCMP have a responsibility to enforce the face mask Provincial Health Order under the Emergency Program Act. Individuals whom refuse to wear a mask, exhibit abusive or belligerent behavior, or fail to comply with patron conditions or requirements may be fined up to an amount of $230.
In a statement to PrinceGeorgeMatters, Walmart Canada says the incident was completely unacceptable and deeply troubling.
"Last night, one of our associates asked a customer to wear a mask in our store. Masks save lives, are required by government order in British Columbia, and are mandatory in all Walmart stores across the country.
"Instead of complying, the customer attacked and assaulted our associate. This incident is completely unacceptable and deeply troubling. Our associates are doing everything they can to support our communities during this pandemic. You can be sure that Walmart will support our associate.
"At the same time, we will cooperate fully with the police investigation to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable for this crime. We would like to thank the Dawson Creek RCMP for their quick response last night.
"We know this behaviour does not reflect our customers in Dawson Creek and they will join with us in condemning this assault. Our thoughts are with our associate as he recovers from his injuries."
In the north, the following 20 school cases have been flagged by Northern Health for COVID-19 exposures after another two were added today:
- Energetic Learning Campus - Fort St. John (SD60) - Nov. 16-20, 2020
- Dawson Creek Secondary School - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Nov. 16-18, 2020
- Charlie Lake Elementary School (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 2020
- Peden Hill Elementary School (SD57) - Nov. 12-17, 2020
- Van Bien Elementary - Nov. 9-10, 2020
- Ron Brent Elementary - Oct. 30, 2020
- Immaculate Conception School (Diocese of Prince George) - Oct. 21-23, 2020
- Prince George Secondary - Oct. 2, 2020
- William Konkin Elementary School, Burns Lake - Nov. 16, 2020
- Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Nov. 16, 2020
- North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12, 13, 16, 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
- Roosevelt Park Elementary (SD52) - Oct. 21-22, 2020
- Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Oct. 15-16, 2020
- Notre Dame School (Private) - Oct. 13-14, 2020
- Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Sept. 23-25, 2020
- David Hoy Elementary (SD91) - Sept. 17-18, 2020
- Quesnel Junior Secondary (SD28) - Sept. 10-11, 15-18, 2020
- Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Sept. 16-18, 2020
- Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Sept. 10-11, 2020
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.
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
The following outbreaks are still active in Northern Health:
- North Peace Seniors Housing Society Apartments, Fort St. John (On-site outbreak) declared on Nov. 22, 2020.
- LNG Canada Project Site, Kitimat (On-site outbreak) declared on Nov. 19, 2020
- Rotary Manor, Dawson Creek (outbreak) declared on Nov. 2, 2020
- With files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters and Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver
