Northern Health facilities adopt Mask requirement as of today

Today is the first day of the return of requirements for those visiting Health Care facilities to ensure that they have a medical mask on.

The move towards a fall/winter masking program was announced last week by Health Minister Adrian Dix and Doctor Bonnie Henry, the provincial Health Officer.

The use of masks is also required in all long term care and assisted living facilities, in all common spaces, as well as when participating in common indoor events at health facilities.

The Northern Health notice was relayed through Social media over the weekend.

At last week's information Session, Minister Dix and Doctor Henry outlined that the fall flu and COVID vaccination program will be launching in the province later this month.

Some notes from their presentation can be reviewed here. 

click to enlarge

No timeline has been released by Northern Health as of yet, towards when the program launches in the Northwest,  you can follow their social media stream for those updates as they come along.

More notes on health care in the Northwest can be reviewed from our archive pages.

Prince Rupert items

Northwest items

Masking to make a comeback at some Health care facilities this fall

If you have plans to visit a health care facility 
in October and beyond you may want to keep
one of these handy

There is no official statement to relay to the public just yet from Health Officials in the province, but a leaked memo that was obtained and reported on by a number of Vancouver and Victoria news organizations has indicated that there are plans to re-institute some masking requirements at Health Care facilities starting this fall.

The latest data on respiratory infections, including coronavirus is serving as the advice for health officials towards their planning.

The memo which has been relayed by the media notes of the reported call for:

 "Continuous masking by health-care workers, visitors, contractors and volunteers in all patient, client and resident care areas" starting Oct. 3. 

Masking will also be required in physician offices and outpatient clinics but says "patients, clients and residents will mask when directed by a health-care worker or based on personal choice." 

The media accounts (which you can review from our Blog D'ArcyMcGee) note that the word mandate is not being attached to the latest wording for the measures ahead.

The official announcement with the details is to come over the noon hour by way of a briefing from Health Minister Adrian Dix and BC Provincial Health Officer Doctor Bonnie Henry.

The BC Government Social Media stream likely will have the information session live at Noon today.

The update from the Noon Hour information session outlined the steps the province will be taking on respiratory concerns, as well as the fall immunization plan for BC.

“An increase in hospital visits with the fall respiratory illness season requires measures to ensure our acute care is effective and our health-care system is strong, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. 

We all know that getting immunized is the best way for us to protect ourselves, our loved ones and the B.C. health-care workers we rely on. We all know that to keep ourselves healthy and our health-care system strong, we all need to do our part. 

And by getting our free and readily available COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time, we’re all doing precisely what’s needed.”  -- ”Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. 

Towards the fall masking regimen planned for health care facilities, the Statement from the Minister and Public Health office included the following:

As respiratory infections are increasing in communities in B.C., the risk also increases in health-care facilities where people may be more at risk of severe infections or complications. 

To increase protections in health-care facilities in the province, medical mask wearing will be required by all health-care workers, volunteers, contractors and visitors in patient care areas starting Oct. 3, 2023. 

Long-term care visitors will be required to wear a medical mask when they are in common areas of the home and when participating in indoor events, gatherings, activities in communal areas of the care home or residence.

Ambassadors will be at facility entrances to support screening for symptoms of respiratory illnesses, hand out medical masks, and ensure people clean their hands before entering. 

The full statement, and links to additional information is available here.

More on Health care in the northwest is available from our archive page.

Province of BC removes Covid Vaccine mandate for most public servants outside of Health, outlines plans for Spring Booster program

The world marked the third anniversary Saturday of a significant and life altering moment in our history, with March 11th of 2020 the date that the World Health Organization issued a warning on a newly discovered virus called COVID.

The WHO statement served as the prelude of events which then delivered over two years of public health measures and societal change along sadly, with a significant loss of life from the virus.

The anniversary was one marked by Premier David Eby with a statement that recounted where we were then and where were at now. 

"Today is Canada’s National Day of Observance. On this day, we take time to remember all those who have died or have had health complications as a result of COVID-19, and honour our health-care and front-line workers who have been working selflessly and courageously since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago. 

It was on March 11, 2020, that the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. Since then, SARS COV-2 virus has challenged people and communities around the world in unprecedented ways. 

Today, we stand together and observe a moment of silence to remember and honour those people who have lost their lives, while also thinking of their family and friends. This virus has been particularly hard on seniors and Elders in our families and communities and we hold them in our thoughts again today."

The last year has seen an easing of most of the measures put in place, the economy slowly recovering as has a sense of normalcy for those of us who lived through the COVID years.

One day prior to the Anniversary, the BC Government took another step back from the days of COVID mandates, announcing that the Mandatory vaccination policy had been rescinded for Provincial Public Servants.

The change in policy comes into place as of April 3rd. The main focus for the elimination of the vaccination mandate was noted as follows:

"The decision to rescind the policy was made based on the high level of vaccination among public-service employees and the current state of the pandemic. More than 98% of employees met the requirement, which helped keep everyone safe. 

Rescinding the vaccination policy means a small number of employees on administrative leave due to non-compliance will be provided the opportunity to return to the workplace. 

The Public Service Agency has provided direction to ministries and will work with supervisors to support a smooth transition. This change also means that contractors and other non-employees do not need to be vaccinated to enter BC Public Service workplaces."

However there will still be some requirements for provincial employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated, with the largest focus on the Health Care sector.

"While the public service is removing its policy, people are still required to be vaccinated if they work in settings with provincial health officer orders or other vaccination requirements. 

Vaccine mandates remain in highest-risk settings where the most vulnerable live and are cared for. This includes facilities in the health-care system."

The full statement can be reviewed here.

Also on Friday, Provincial Health Officer Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minster Adrian Dix outlined what the provincial approach on COVID, which is still a very real part of our lives, will look like.

In particular, they provided guidance on what the next Booster Shot program will look like and who it will be directed at, with a reminder that those who not yet been vaccinated with a primary series of vaccinations should do so as soon as possible.

As for those who followed the health guidance from Day one and awaiting word on what the Booster program will look like, the health officials outlined the following program that will launch this spring.

“The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recently issued guidance on additional booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine. B.C. will be adopting this guidance; people at high risk of severe illness including individuals older than 80, all seniors in long-term care homes, Indigenous people older than 70 and people 18 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised can get a spring booster. 

In addition to high-risk individuals, people 60 and older, or Indigenous people 50 and older, who have not previously contracted COVID-19, can also consider receiving a spring booster dose. 

We also continue to encourage everyone six months and older to get immunized with a primary series and, if they’re eligible, a booster dose, including anyone 18 and over who has not yet received a bivalent booster dose." 

Appointments are available across B.C. at pharmacies and public health clinics and can be made by phoning 1 883 838-2323

You can also register on line here.

More background on the Booster vaccination program can be reviewed here.

Northern Health's information relay on COVID can be explored here.

You can review our full archive of the times of COVID here.

For Health care themes in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry notes of influenza related deaths in children and youth, announces plans to continue to track future instances

As concerns rise over the recent surge of cases from the 2022 influenza season, the province's Provincial Health Officer has issued a statement that addresses the recent reports of six deaths of children and youth from influenza related conditions.

Dr. Bonnie Henry released the provincial health office's view of the current state of the influenza concerns wither statement issued at 5:55 PM on Thursday.

“The BC Centre for Disease and Control is aware of six reports of influenza-associated deaths among children and youth in B.C. this season, with investigations ongoing. My thoughts are with families and communities impacted by the loss of a loved one. 

Early findings indicate some of the children experienced secondary bacterial infections contributing to severe illness, which can be a complication of influenza. 

It is important to know that death associated with influenza in previously healthy children continues to be rare. Public-health officials are monitoring the situation closely, and we urge everyone to do their part by taking steps to protect yourself, your children and loved ones against the flu."

Doctor Henry noted in her information release of the tragic, but rare instances of death in previously healthy school aged children and teens.

“This is an unusual season with unusual characteristics, including an early and intense surge in cases. With this unusual pattern, enhanced surveillance has been implemented that includes reporting of pediatric influenza-related deaths to public-health officials. As the information is confirmed, updates on pediatric influenza-related deaths will be posted weekly as part of the respiratory surveillance summaries on the BCCDC website."

You can find those updates from this link.

The full statement from Doctor Henry can be reviewed here.

With vaccination rates for children and youth still quite low in the province, the Health Ministry has ramped up its efforts to offer opportunity for both Flu and COVID vaccinations.

As we outlined  yesterday, there are two Drop In clinics scheduled in Prince Rupert this weekend, one today and a second tomorrow, both are taking place at the Prince Rupert Public Health Unit in the Ocean Centre Mall.

As well British Columbians can schedule an appointment at their local pharmacy or health unit through the Get Vaccinated portal.

More notes on Northern Health can be explored here.

Slight uptick in COVID reports for some Northwest communities, but majority hold at Zero counts on the week

BC CDC Data for the week of August 28-September 3

The Northwest continues to deliver single digit reports on COVID cases, with this week showing a few incremental increases for a few communities.

This week's report from the BC CDC for the period of August 28-September 3  has Eight of the reporting areas recording no cases for the period of review.

Those include Prince Rupert, Upper Skeena, Snow Country-Stikine-Telegraph Creek, Nisga'a, Burns Lake, Kitimat, Central Coast and Bella Coola Valley

Prince George tops the reports for the North for the review period at 18.

The remainder of the Northwest remained close to recent totals, though with a slight uptick

The full review across the region for the week of August 28-September 3  from the BC CDC looks as follows:

Terrace --  6 cases

Haida Gwaii --  4 cases

Smithers -- 2 cases

Nechako --  1 cases

Bella Coola Valley -- 0 cases

Burns Lake --   0 cases

Kitimat -- 0 cases

Nisga'a Region --  0 cases

Snow Country-Stikine-Telegraph Creek -- 0 cases

Central Coast --   0 cases

Upper Skeena --  0 cases

Prince Rupert -- 0 cases

The Provincial Data Review shows much the same as it has for the majority of the summer. 

617 New Cases , with 324 hospitalized, 22 in Critical Care  and 22 new deaths from COVID reported.

The number or critical care and those who have passed away makes for the same total as that from last week's review.

The total number of deaths in BC since the start of the coronavirus is 4,183 to date.

There have been 383,054  cases of COVID recorded in the province since the arrival of the pandemic

As of September 1st the Province had distributed 13,343,991 first, second or booster shots of the COVID Vaccine, with a fourth booster program for specific groups underway.

Earlier this week, Health Minister Adrian Dix, Doctor Bonnie Henry and Doctor Penny Ballem, provided an update on the path forward for the fall vaccination program. Which will include a new bivalent vaccine that includes a vaccine for the Omicron strain.

Thursday's provincial report lists  37 new cases of COVID for the Northern Health region for the reporting week.

That makes for a total of 30,910 cases recorded since the start of the pandemic.

For the Northern Health Region, 14 patients are listed as in hospital, with  2 noted as in Critical Care, the Northern Health region recorded 1 death in this last week.

The Northern Health total of deaths attributed to COVID is listed as 376 since the start of the pandemic.

The  breakdown of hospitalizations by community in the Northern Health region is not included in the data release information.

COVID review for September 8
Province wide results

COVID review for September 8
Northern Health Region results

The larger BC CDC Data release is available here.

Past information statements on COVID and other notes on the Northwest response can be reviewed from our archive page. 

Province's Fall Booster vaccination program details announced

Doctor Bonnie Henry was back at the podium on Tuesday
making her first appearance at a COVID update since earlier 
this summer

A Tuesday information session featuring Heath Minister Adrian Dix and Doctors Bonnie Henry and Penny Ballem charted out the provincial plan towards COVID vaccination this fall, a roll out that will include a new combination bivalent vaccine as part of the vaccine program.

In an backgrounder to the Tuesday presentation the province noted of the new vaccine option as well as the booster program and the eligibility parameters for it.

This new vaccine will be available to all adults over the age of 18 and youth from 12 to 17 years who are at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Invitations will go out over the coming days and weeks. 

This vaccine offers enhanced protection against COVID-19 by targeting the original virus strain and is effective against Omicron subvariants, which continue to be the most common subvariants in B.C. 

 As with the previous doses, the timing of invitations will be based on risk and age, as long as it has been six months since the previous dose. Priority groups will continue to include people over the age of 60, Indigenous Peoples of all ages, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and people, such as eligible health-care workers, who work with high-risk and vulnerable individuals. 

 Children and youth, from five to 17, are also eligible for booster doses. Parents and guardians will receive invitations to book booster appointments when their children are eligible.

The presentation expanded on what Bivlaent Vaccines are all about and how it targets the original COVID virus and the more recent Omicron variant, which provincial authorities say is the dominant strain at the moment.

As for the Booster campaign, the details of the modelling for the fall program was outlined, with the suggestion of health officials that British Columbians consider getting their Booster and Flu shot at the same time if possible, that to gain the best protection for the upcoming respiratory season and the anticipated surge of COVID cases that they expect for November and December of this year.

The near one hour session provided some background on what health officials have learned over the summer about the prospects for the fall, noting of the range of tools now available to address COVID both through vaccines and treatments for those who do contract the virus.

Should you have had a COVID infection, the advice is that you should wait three months since your infection before getting your next shot, while those who have yet to start their vaccination program they were used to get their first shots as soon as they can, to then follow that up with the remainder of the regimen.

Doctor Ballem outlined the range of the vaccination programs from the youngest to oldest and with a particular focus on those students that have returned to school and need the layers of protection that are now being made available.

The Doctor noted that the province hopes to have both the new vaccine and the flu vaccine available for distribution  by the first week of October, with the use of pharmacies and health authorities once again the method of delivering the vaccine.

The process will again make use of the invitation process that will invite you to make your appointment.

You can review the full presentation from the Health officials through the replay of yesterday's session  which you can review below.

More notes on how the COVID program will roll out in the Northern Health area will be shared through the Northern Health social media and other information feeds.

Further notes on Health Care in the Northwest can be explored from our archive pages.

COVID fall booster plan to be discussed at provincial briefing today

Dr Bonnie Henry will be 
back to the podium today
as the Province provides
a pre Fall COVID update

British Columbians will learn more about the Fall COVID booster delivery program later today, with Health Minister Adrian Dix, Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry and Dr. Penny Ballem all expected to be on hand to outlined the details of the immunization roll out plan.

The live presentation marks a return to the microphone for Doctor Henry who has been away from the discussion and her duties on COVID for much of the summer.

The Briefing is expected to last for one hour and is anticipated to review where the province is at when it comes to COVID and what the forecast is ahead for the fall, when some officials have suggested we will see an increase in cases owing to  the more close quarters that the fall brings.

Last week it was announced that a new COVID vaccine has been approved, one which includes elements that target the Omicron strain

The presentation today is set for a 2PM start with a live stream to be made available through the Provincial Facebook feed, Twitter feed and on YouTube.

Details on how to access any of those feeds can be found here.

Northern Health has been sharing updated notes on COVID and the vaccine program through their Prince Rupert dedicated Facebook page.

More notes about Health Care in the region can be explored here.

Items of interest from he Legislature can be reviewed from our archive page.

MLA's Week: April 4-7, 2022

British Columbia's MLA's put the finishing touches to a number of files, prior to taking a two week hiatus from their duties with an Easter Break which started on Friday.

Of note from this week was a change in now the Province will be reporting COVID data from now on, with the days of regular briefings from the Provincial Health Officer Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix now at an end.

Instead, the data review of the state of COVID will be by way of a Thursday report, this week also saw the provincial Proof of Vaccination Card no longer required.

New legislation towards a number of municipal themes was also introduced, with Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen putting Bill 20 into motion for first reading this week.

Some news out of Ottawa should have some impact on provincial themes was well, with the Federal Budget addressing a number of areas of note for the BC Government including that of housing. 

As for more on the recent week of work from the House, the four days unfolded as follows:

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On the week, Ms Rice was mentioned once  in the record for the week in the  Legislature from  April 4-7.

That entry comes from a statement to the Legislature celebrating the work of Emergency Dispatchers and Call Takers on Thursday.

British Columbia's Emergency Dispatchers and Call Takers to be celebrated next week

Ms. Rice also featured in an announcement on training for the tourism sector on Haida Gwaii and preparations for Tsunami preparation week.

The North Coast MLA is also a member of the Following committees:

Select Committee on Children and Youth

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs

Select Standing Committee on Education

Ms. Rice serves as the Government's Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness

The North Coast MLA also addressed a range of themes through her Social Media Stream.

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For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, Skeena MLA Ellis Ross  was  mentioned three times in the record for the week in the Legislature from April 4-7.

Of note for the Skeena MLA this week was the work of Mr. Ross and other Liberal members in seeking answers for the community of Terrace, as they followed up on the recent visit from a delegation from the Skeena Valley City.

Terrace Council find progress on crime concerns, as BC Liberals turn up heat on government

The Liberals and Mr. Ross returned to the theme of crime in BC as part of the Thursday morning session.

The Skeena MLA also spoke to concerns on property law as part of Legislation debate on Tuesday morning and afternoon.

Mr. Ross serves as the Liberal critic on LNG and Energy.

The Skeena MLA is also a member of the Following committees:

Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fish and Food 

The Skeena MLA also addressed a range of themes  featured as part of the MLA's social media work.

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For our readers from the Bulkley Valley area, Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen  was mentioned twice   in the record for the week in the  Legislature from April 4-7. 

The first came on Monday afternoon when Mr. Cullen provided a tribute to Smithers resident and New Grammy Winner Alex Cuba

Cullen Tributes Cuba in Legislature

On Thursday morning, the Municipal Affairs minister introduced first reading for Bill 20 which will amend some areas of note for municipal government in the province.

Bill 20 gains first reading towards change in Municipal affairs in British Columbia

The MLA was also mentioned in the Legislature this week in relation to recent meetings with Terrace officials on crime in the community.

The Stikine MLA is not currently assigned to any Parliamentary committees

Mr. Cullen serves as the Government's Minister of Municipal Affairs

The Stikine MLA also had comments on a range of themes through his Social Media stream this week

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There is more background on all three Regional MLA's available from our MLA's Week Archive,  as well as our constituency archives below:

North Coast Constituency

Skeena Constituency

Stikine Constituency

MLA's now take a two week Easter Break they return to the Legislature on Monday morning April 25 at 10AM

MLA's also participate in a number of Committee sessions scheduled through the week.

A larger overview of provincial issues can be found on our Political portal D'Arcy McGee 

Shift to Weekly Data review for COVID moves BC into Surveillance Mode for pandemic

The BC CDC Local Health Data for COVID
was released on April 7th

The province of British Columbia is now entering the surveillance period of the COVID pandemic, gone are the daily briefings and frequent updates from Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minster Adrian Dix, instead, we now will only hear word of COVID on a weekly basis with Thursday the day for data delivery in the province. 

The provincial update will bring both the province wide overview and the Local Health Data review to the same day, offering a weekly glimpse into the state of COVID in British Columbia and the Northwest.

How they plan to go forward in their observations on COVID was outlined as part of Thursday statement from the BC Government.

BC Shifts to weekly COVID data reporting

Of note for the path forward is the provincial plan on reporting Deaths which has made for some controversy owing to the wider focus that the health authorities have indicated.

In the new system, all deaths that occurred within 30 days of an individual’s positive lab result will be reported, regardless of whether the underlying cause of death was determined to be COVID-19 or not. This broader definition means that some deaths will be reported that are not related to COVID-19. Knowing when a death occurred can take, on average, four to six days to enter the system.

The new approach to COVID data review is being compared to how the province approaches its Flu Watch program.

The new COVID-19 reporting approach aligns with a shift away from a “case-management” model to a "surveillance” approach that focuses on identifying meaningful changes in COVID-19 trends over time across different regions of the province. It is similar to how government monitors for other serious respiratory illnesses through FluWatch.

As of yesterday, the BC COVID Proof of Vaccination program came to an end, with residents of the Province no longer required to provide for their proof vaccination.

For this week declines in COVID cases marked much of the map for the Northwest this past week.

This week's data  for the period of March 20-26 indicated that most communities in the Northwest had continued to see lower case counts from previous levels.

The results for Prince Rupert provided for an increase of 6 cases from the week prior, Prince Rupert's 9 cases this week puts it at the same level as that found in Terrace.

The northwest count is significantly lower than that of Northern British Columbia's largest community, with Prince George recording a case count of 69 in the period.

The full review across the region for the week of March 27 - April 2  from the BC CDC looks as follows:

Terrace -- 9 cases
Prince Rupert -- 9 cases

Smithers -- 6 cases

Nechako -- 5 cases

Haida Gwaii --  4 cases

Burns Lake --  3 cases

Snow Country-Stikine-Telegraph Creek --  2 cases

Upper Skeena --  1 case

Kitimat --  1 case

Central Coast --  0 cases

Nisga'a Region -- 0 cases

Bella Coola Valley --  0 cases

The Provincial Data Review looks as follows:

1,706 New Cases, with 324 hospitalized, 38 in Critical Care

There have been 357,242 cases of COVID recorded in the province since the arrival of the pandemic

As of April 7th the Province had administered 11,503,889 doses of COVID Vaccine in first, second or booster shots, with a fourth booster program for specific groups to soon get underway.

Thursday's provincial report lists  145 new cases of COVID for the Northern Health region for the reporting week. That makes for a total of 29,443 cases recorded since the start of the pandemic.

For the Northern Health Region in total as of Wednesday, 16 patients are listed as in hospital which is a decrease from last week,  with  3 noted as in Critical Care, which is the same from a weekdfrom a week ago.

The  breakdown of hospitalizations by community in the Northern Health region is not included in the data release information.

COVID review for April 7
British Columbia wide 

COVID review for April 7
Northern Health Region

The larger BC CDC Data release is available here.

Past information statements on COVID and other notes on the Northwest response can be reviewed from our archive page.