Pandemic claims five more lives in north

Five new COVID-19-related deaths were reported in the Northern Health region over the weekend, Health Minister Adrian Dix said on Monday.

The deaths were part of the 16 COVID-related deaths reported in B.C on Monday, including one historical death which was reclassified to list COVID-19 as a cause. Since the start of the pandemic, 1,437 British Columbians have died of COVID-19, including 119 in the Northern Health region.

The number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are still far too high in the province, Dix said.

"COVID-19 spreads to live, and lives to spread. Right now the living is too easy for COVID-19 in B.C.," Dix said. "We need to stick to what we know works."

Since Friday, there were 1,437 new cases of COVID-19 in the province – including 133 in the north, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said.

There were 5,290 active cases as of Monday, and 303 people hospitalized with COVID-19 including 80 in critical care, she said. The number of active cases and hospitalizations in the north weren't provided, but on Monday afternoon the B.C. Centre for Disease Control reported 363 active cases in the Northern Health region – a seven per cent increase since Friday.

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the north were also up, with 39 people hospitalized, including 14 in critical care, the B.C. CDC reported.

As of Monday, 539,408 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in the province.

In the Northern Health region, a total of 25,835 doses had been administered, including 2,715 second doses, the B.C. CDC reported. A total of 4,795 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the region, including the first 827 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Throughout the province, roughly 10.5 per cent of British Columbians have now received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Dix said.

Prince George residents 77 years old and older (born in 1944 or earlier) will be able to call to make their vaccination appointment starting Tuesday at noon. Appointments can be made by calling 1-844-255-7555 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week.

On Thursday at noon, those 76 years old and older will be eligible to book an appointment and on Saturday, those 75 and up can call to book their appointment.

Currently Prince George residents 78 years old (born in 1943 and earlier) and older, and Indigenous residents 55 years old and older (born in 1966 or earlier), can book their appointment.

Meanwhile, inmates and guards at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre are being immunized against COVID-19 this week.

"Correctional facilities are included in Phase 2 eligibility as “vulnerable populations living and working in select congregated settings," a Ministry of Health spokesperson said.

Nursing staff at the jail will be providing the shots while Northern Health staff is providing the vaccine and supporting vaccine preparation and documentation, the spokesperson added.

— With files from Mark Nielsen