B.C.'s COVID-19 numbers have seen a slight drop but still remain high.
In an on-camera briefing this afternoon, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 694 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases within the past day, bringing the provincial total to 35,422 since the pandemic hit the province in January.
Of those, Northern Health has tallied 23 which brings the new authority total to 928. The region has 235 active cases with 33 hospitalized and 11 in ICU.
There are 9,103 people listed as active for COVID-19 throughout the province, 235 are in hospital with 80 in critical care.
Another 10,849 are under active public health monitoring after being exposed to someone infected with the virus while 24,928 have been classified as fully recovered.
The past day has also seen another 12 deaths in B.C which raises the fatality rate to 481. Tuesday (Dec. 1) saw the deadliest day since the pandemic began where 16 deaths were announced.
Henry announces 12 new deaths in B.C. which brings the provincial fatality rate to 481 #bcpoli #bced #covid19bc #covidbc #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) December 3, 2020
Northern Health recorded its eighth death of the pandemic yesterday with another death on Tuesday, which was a man in his 80s.
Health officials in the region have issued two precautionary outbreaks in Prince George.
The Gateway Lodge has had a staff member test positive for the virus which has prompted an outbreak in the Cedar Wing of the lodge, located in the upper west wing on the second floor.
There is no evidence of transmission of illness among staff and residents at the lodge at this time.
"Northern Health long-term care facilities have implemented very clear policies and procedures for COVID-19 infection prevention and control, and the risk of transmission to residents, staff and physicians at Gateway," a statement reads.
Pre-arranged social visits will not be suspended at this time per health officials.
The declaration will remain in place until at least Dec. 9.
The second outbreak has been declared at the University Hospital of British Columbia.
Northern Health says enhanced measures are being put in place following confirmed by unrelated cases of the virus.
The notice will stay in place until at least Dec. 16.
In Prince George, precautionary outbreaks have been issued at Gateway Lodge as well as the University Hospital of British Columbia #bcpoli #bced #covid19bc #covidbc #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) December 3, 2020
As of publication (3:15, Dec. 3) no new school exposures have been announced by the authority.
The full list of northern B.C. schools is as follows:
- Centennial Christian School (Terrace) - Nov.23-26, 2020
- North Peace Secondary School (SD60) - Nov. 24-26, 2020
- Sacred Heart Elementary School (SD57) - Nov. 25-27, 2020
- Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 2020
- Charlie Lake Elementary School (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 16-26, 2020
- Ecole College Heights School (SD57) - Nov. 19-20, 20-24, 2020
- David Hoy Elementary (SD91) - Nov. 25-26, 2020; Sept. 17-18, 2020
- William Konkin Elementary School - Burns Lake (SD91) - Nov. 16, 23-24, 2020
- Fort St. James Secondary School (SD91) - Nov. 19-20, 20-26, 2020
- Bert Bowes Middle School (SD60) - Nov. 16, 18-20, 2020
- Beaverly Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23-24, 2020
- Foothills Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23, 2020
- Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Nov. 20, 2020; Oct. 2, 2020
- North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12-13, 16, 19, 2020
- Peden Hill Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 12-17, 17-20, 2020
- Energetic Learning Campus - Fort St. John (SD60) - Nov. 16-20, 2020
- Dawson Creek Secondary School - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Nov. 16-18, 2020; Sept. 23-25, 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
- Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Oct. 15-16, 2020
- Notre Dame School (Private) - Oct. 13-14, 2020
- Quesnel Junior Secondary (SD28) - Sept. 10-11, 15-18, 2020
- Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Sept. 10-11, 2020
There are three official community/facility outbreaks still ongoing in the north. The North Peace Seniors Housing Society Apartments declared on Nov. 22, LNG Canada Project Site on Nov. 19 and Rotary Manor in Dawson Creek remain active.
Another eight COVID-19 cases were detected at the North Peace Seniors Housing apartments in Fort St. John for a new total of 14.
An outbreak was declared at the facility on Nov. 22.
However, Northern Health officials say most have since passed their infectious period and the outbreak is set to stay in place until Dec. 20.
The cases have been limited to residents only, and 10 are no longer considered contagious, said Executive Director Kim Wilson.
There have been no new deaths, and no new cases over recent days as some residents are still waiting for test results.
“We’re feeling really positive, the staff is feeling really positive,” Wilson said.
Common areas remain closed, and traffic throughout the apartments has slowed considerably, but volunteers also continue to make daily health calls to each and every tenant.
“It has helped a lot,” Wilson said. “They’re lonely, they’re in their apartments, so it’s nice to hear that consistent voice every day."
In Prince George, Walmart Canada has confirmed to PrinceGeorgeMatters that an employee tested positive for the virus while a third-party vendor that was in the store last month also had a confirmed case.
"If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, we take a number of actions including informing local public health authorities," Walmart Spokesperson Felicia Fefer said in an emailed statement.
"We respond transparently to requests received about the number of confirmed cases in stores, distribution centres or offices from customers or media."
The team member last worked on Nov. 24 while the third-party vendor was last in the vicinity on Nov. 2.
On Nov. 27, both the Real Canadian Superstore and Canadian Tire confirmed to PrinceGeorgeMatters they had positive tests come back involving its employees.
Both companies said the stores increased cleaning and sanitation measures and no customers were at risk.
On Wednesday (Nov. 25), the College Heights Tim Hortons location also confirmed an employee has tested positive, which promoted the closure of its restaurant until Dec. 1 for extra cleaning.
Fort St. John's Walmart location has also confirmed a case of COVID-19 from one of its employees, who last worked Nov. 25.
- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters, and Hayley Woodin, Business In Vancouver
