As the province continues to increase its total COVID-19 case count, it appears Northern Health has slowed down a bit.
Since Friday (Oct. 2), only four new positive tests were reported across the region out of 358 in B.C., says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Northern B.C. now has 322 total cases; the province has had 9,739 since the first confirmed case of the virus was reported in January.
The latest three-day case counts are as follows:
- 130 = Friday to Saturday
- 108 = Saturday to Sunday
- 120 = Sunday to Monday
The new total includes 1,353 active cases with 66 in hospital, 16 in critical care and 8,115 recoveries.
Dr. Henry said a very small number of people who have been hospitalized are in the 20 to 39 age range, which accounts for most of the new cases.
She also reported four new deaths from COVID-19, none of which were in Northern Health, rising the toll to 242.
There are 3,010 being actively monitored.
A sixth school has also been added to Northern Health's exposure list.
Dawson Creek Secondary School is the second institution out of School District 59 (SD59) reported as potentially exposed between Sept. 23 to 25 on its South Peace campus.
"The safety and well-being of our students, families and staff remains our highest priority," says Principal Josh Kurjata in a statement.
"Please be reassured that our school will continue to implement the strict protocols and procedures we have in place so that children can continue to attend school as safely as possible."
SD59's Ecole Frank Ross Elementary was the first school reported for possible virus exposure on Sept. 18, for the dates Sept. 10 and 11
The other regional schools on Northern Health's list are as follows:
- Quesnel Junior Secondary School (SD28) = Sept. 10 and 11, 15 to 18
- Nak’albun Elementary School (Independent) = Sept. 16 to 18
- David Hoy Elementary (SD91) = Sept. 17 and 18
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
- with a file from Nelson Bennett, Business In Vancouver
There are now six exposure events in Northern Health involving schools. The sixth is Dawson Creek Secondary School (South Peace Campus) from Sept. 23-25 #bcpoli #bced #covid19 #northernhealth #dawsoncreek #cityofpg pic.twitter.com/oBbSC0ixMs
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) October 5, 2020
