Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue to bring the party to the birthday boy/girl as part of contest

Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue is looking to help reduce some of the isolation of self-isolation, with the department hosting a new contest for local youth ages 2-12.

Should parents have a child at home set to celebrate a birthday, but not able to host a party at this time due to the protocols of COVID-19, then Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue is looking to bring some noise of their own to just outside your home.

On Sunday, they announced a contest that will see one winner receive a PRFD drive by on or around the Big Day. All that is required is the correct answer to the safety question, with the draw set for tomorrow.

See the PRFD Facebook page to participate

More notes on the work of Emergency Service Providers see our archive page here.

PAC 10 set to roll out educational support in virtual setting

Prince Rupert's popular tutoring service, PAC 10 has put together an online learning platform for students and parents, looking to continue with their programs in a slightly different format.

Having announced the indefinite Closure of their learning centre on First Avenue West earlier this month, PAC 10 staffers began to look for ways to adapt their programs to the new challenges that have arrived when it comes to education.

With the call for social distancing and suspension of the school year to this point, the PAC 10 Team will looking to help rekindle some that thirst for learning from the youth of Prince Rupert, introducing live online tutorial support, a series of Free interactive lectures and access to archive lessons and lectures.

The initial roll out will start with Grade 11 and 12 classes that launch this week, the range of studies include 10 program in calculus, biology, chemistry and physics.

You can learn more about their plans here.

You can review some of their past work in the community from their Facebook page here, should you need more information on their plans, give them a call at 250-622-8722.

86 new cases of COVID-19 in BC since Saturday, 2 new cases for the Northern Health region making for a provincial total of 950

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, the province's Public Health Officer provided for two days of data and information today, as the two officials who are leading the provincial response to COVID-19 began another week of updates for British Columbians.

It was a review of the weekend cases that made for an increase of 86 new case files making for a provincial total of 970 to date in British Columbia.

“In the first reporting period through March 28, we had 16 new cases, for a total of 900 cases in British Columbia. “In the last 24 hours, we have had a further 70 new cases, for a total of 970 cases in British Columbia. “This represents 86 new cases since we reported on Saturday.

Every health region in British Columbia has patients with COVID-19: 472 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 323 are in the Fraser Health region, 67 are in the Island Health region, 94 are in the Interior Health region and 14 are in the Northern Health region."

Sadly the number of those who have passed away in British Columbia rose by two over the weekend, which brings the total of those who have died during this outbreak to 19, that included the first death in the community as a result of COVID-19 as confirmed by the BC Coroners Service.

Mr. Dix continued to outlined the preparations currently underway in the Province as British Columbians prepare to travel in an important period in the response program.

“We are at a critical juncture in our provincial COVID-19 response. We have two paths ahead: we will begin to see evidence of a flattened curve or our rates of infection will rise even more. 

Our entire government is doing everything we can to address this challenge, and we need every person in our province to do the same. Let us be united in this singular purpose: in these next two crucial weeks we must be 100% committed to flattening the curve and lessening the devastating impacts of this virus. 

While we are watching the epi-curve closely, we continue with the active readiness of our health-care system to prepare for the potential of a large spike in COVID-19 cases. “A shipment of one million surgical masks has arrived as we continue to restock our provincial personal-protection equipment supplies." 

The province has designated 19 major hospitals across the province as primary COVID-19 facilities to deliver care to the most critically ill patients. In the Northwest, the Ministry of Health has designated Terrace's Mills Memorial Hospital as this regions COVID-19 Acute Care Facility.


You can review more the Monday briefing here.

The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.

You can learn more about the outbreak from both the Province and the Federal government from the links below:

Federal Government site

British Columbia Government site

The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.

More from  Northern Health can be reviewed here 

You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.

Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, the string of statements that came quickly at the end of the week can be reviewed here.

For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee

Ottawa Observations

Victoria Viewpoints

Mills Memorial designated COVID-19 Acute Primary Care location; Northern Health Update stresses social distancing, other measures as solution towards COVID-19

The City of Prince Rupert's Social media stream today has relayed some important notes from Northern Health, with the local Health Authority outlining a number of their preparations for their response to COVID-19 as well as how all in the Northwest can contribute to the regional solution.

In these challenging times, we want to take a moment to assure you we have been working diligently and tirelessly in coordination with the province and the country on a collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not alone in this crisis. 

We are a part of a system that is working very hard to minimize the impact of the challenges we face. This begins with a role everyone has – social distancing, avoiding mass gatherings, self-isolation where appropriate and hand hygiene – please help be part of the solution!

Towards the precautions Northern Health officials noted how they have been following the Provincial Health Officers direction, by implementing a range of actions including creating capacity in hospitals, managing elective procedures and prioritizing urgent care.

We are working on Phase Three planning, which fully focuses on critical care, acute care, patient transportation, and health human resource planning. We are nearing completion of those plans over the next week.

NH is part of a provincial and national system that includes effective patient transportation systems when needed. This work also includes a focused approach in putting in place, with their clinical and support staff, a four- to six-week staffing schedule that redeploys staff as necessary to provide for the critical care needs required. 

In addition, as part of the preparation, we are managing our critical care inventory, including ventilators. Additional ventilators have been ordered, some have arrived provincially, and they will be deployed appropriately and where the need is. This is in addition to stock that has been/is undergoing refurbishment.

Health officials also urge residents of the Northwest to remain calm and react only to factual information and to follow the public Orders of Dr. Bonnie Henry.

You can review those orders here.

Northern Health has also released a guidebook for the region that has a wide range of material on the themes of COVID-19, you can access it and all the other notes from the full post from Northern Health is available here.

This afternoon, Health Minister Adrian Dix also released the list of Northern Health Hospitals to be designated as COVID-19 Primary Acute Care Hospitals, with Mill Memorial Hospital in Terrace designated as the Northwest Region location.

For more notes on the provincial response to COVID-19 see our archive page here.

Prince Rupert City Council session cancelled for April 6th

Prince Rupert City Council has put a pause on those duties that they conduct in public; announcing by way of a short notice on the Civic Website today, that the April 6th Council session has been cancelled.

The session, which was scheduled for one week from tonight, was cancelled in accordance with Council Procedure Bylaw No. 3092, 2000, Section 5.1 (6) which states:

The Corporate Administrator is hereby authorized to cancel such other meetings as are considered unnecessary for the reason of lack of business and shall post notice of such cancellation in accordance with Section 6.

There was no further explanation through the city's website or the range of social media streams, including the Mayor's Facebook page as to why Council chose to go the route of cancellation.

Around the Northwest, other municipal councils still seem to have a fair bit of work to take care of:

Terrace which did cancel their March 23rd session, still has their next Regular Council session of April 14th listed as on schedule.

Smithers also cancelled their March 24th session, but to this point still have plans to host a Regular Council Session on April 14th.

Kitimat which by far hosts the most public sessions in the region hosts a Committee of the Whole Session tonight at 7PM, with a Regular Council session set for April 6th.

Port Edward also has a Council Session on the Schedule set for April 14th, and as of today, has not posted any notice of cancellation for that community.

On Friday, as part of his response to the suspension of Prince Rupert's Local State of Emergency by the province,  Mayor Brain also seemed to lessen the load for his council membership; advising the public that a number of issues of concern to the community should now be addressed solely to the office of MLA Jennifer Rice.

Unfortunately any community issues moving forward regarding housing, childcare, homelessness, etc are to be sent to Jennifer Rice's office as her and her team are now in control. 

You can forward your concerns to Jennifer Rice by calling 250-624-7734 or e-mailing jennifer.rice.mla@leg.bc.ca.


For more notes related to Discussion themes with Prince Rupert City Council see our archive page here.

Province of British Columbia working with School Districts, Independent Schools and First Nations schools towards continuity of Education plan

While spring break came to an end on Sunday, there was no rush to the schools on this Monday morning; with the provincial school system still somewhat suspended.

That as classes continue to not be in session and planning is ongoing towards a shift in how students will learn during the course of the COVID-19 response.

“This is a challenging time for families in B.C. as we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, but it is vital students have a sense of routine and continued opportunities to learn while they are at home. These guidelines will ensure the needs, health and safety of students are put first as school leaders actively plan to serve the unique needs of their communities.” -- Rob Fleming, Minister of Education.

On Friday, the Ministry of Education outlined some of its priorities for the path ahead, which will be focused on ensuring for the safety of school staff, students, parents and communities.

Towards that program the identified the four key areas they will address:

Maintain a healthy and safe environment for all students, families and employees.

Provide the services needed to support children of our essential workers.

Support vulnerable students who may need special assistance.

Provide continuity of educational opportunities for all students.

As part of their information program the Ministry of Education ha created a Frequently Asked Questions page  to try to address many of the questions and issues that parents, teachers and administrators may have in mind at this time.

The Ministry also has provided for some guidance for parents and caregivers to help with the ongoing efforts towards learning through the home, you can review those notes here.

Explore more on the province's plans to support the K-12 education program at this time here.

On Friday, SD52 Superintendent Irene LaPierre provided more guidance on the Prince Rupert School District efforts to date and what may come in the future.

As well, she reminded parents/guardians of a survey underway to seek their feedback on education in the region in this challenging period of time.

For more notes on Education in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Metlakatla announces new measures in COVID-19 response

The Metlakatla First Nation has introduced a number of new measures as part of their evolving response to COVID-19 outlining a number of actions that were put in place as of last Friday.

Among the steps taken, restriction of the community to only residents, with non-residents not permitted to enter, with the exception of a once per week charter for essential staff to access key resources.

The Metlakatla Band Office will remain closed to the public, with reception services in place to ensure that staff are more readily accessible.

The Social development program and Health Department are reaching out to Metlakatla residents to ensure that groceries are purchased and delivered, the food and supplies program is being coordinated by the Health Centre.

They also have regulations in place for those who are delivering supplies to the community.

The First Nation has also put in place a committee of Upper Management to meet regularly and to make critical decisions.

As for the operations of the Metlakatla Development Corporation, the Regular Service of the Metlakatla Ferry has been suspended.

While on the Prince Rupert side of the harbour, the Grassy Bay Services site has shifted the Gas station in the Industrial Park to a Self Serve Only service and closed the convenience store.

You can review the full announcement from the Metlakatla website and Facebook Page.