Northern Health records one COVID-19 case to regional total as B.C. adds 115

B.C. is continuing the triple-digit trend this week in terms of new COVID-19 cases and its getting closer to a significant milestone.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is reporting 115 new cases today (Oct. 7), which nears the 10,000-mark for a grand total of 9,956.

Only one of those was recorded in Northern Health, increasing the authority's total to 325 since March

Fortunately, nobody died from the virus since yesterday (Oct. 6), keeping the death toll at 244.

There are three COVID-19-linked deaths in the north, including a man and woman in their 60s and a Nak'azdli Whut'en elder in her 70s.

Of the 1,387 active cases in B.C., 71 people are hospitalized with 15 in intensive care.

There are 3,042 people under active public health monitoring and 8,296 that have recovered.

Dr. henry reiterates once again Thanksgiving Day is set to look different this year, but there's much to be grateful for even during a global pandemic.

“Let’s show our gratitude by doing a small kindness for a friend, neighbour or family member. Reaching out virtually or by phone, helping with a small task or a sending a care package tells people in your life and community that you care. We’re all in this together, and we have come this far by supporting each other while staying apart," she says in a statement.

“Kindness counts. What we do today directly influences the well-being of our communities tomorrow, so let’s continue to do our part to protect ourselves and each other – each day and every day.”

Northern Health currently has six potential exposure events among five schools in the region:

• Dawson Creek Secondary School - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Sept. 23 to 25
• Quesnel Junior Secondary School (SD28) = Sept. 10 and 11, 15 to 18
• Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) = Sept. 10 and 11
• Nak’albun Elementary School (Independent) = Sept. 16 to 18
• David Hoy Elementary (SD91) = Sept. 17 and 18

The authority 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

More to come...