317 new cases of COVID-19 in BC over the weekend, as well as 6 deaths including the first recorded passing in the Northern Health region

As was anticipated, the Monday review of the three day period over the weekend delivered some high case counts of COVID-19, with 317 cases recorded from September 11-13, bringing the total of active cases to 1,594.

Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix relayed the weekend overview with an information session in Victoria this afternoon. 

“Today, we are providing case updates for three 24-hour reporting periods. In the first reporting period, from Sept. 11 to 12, we had 137 new cases, from Sept. 12 to 13, we had 119 new cases and in the last 24 hours, we had a further 61 new cases. 

This represents a total of 317 new cases, including four epi-linked cases, since we reported on Friday, for a total of 7,279 cases in British Columbia. 

There are 1,594 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 3,047 people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases, and 5,446 people who tested positive have recovered. 

Currently, 58 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, 16 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation."

Across the province, the review of case files from each individual Health Authority region looks as follows:

2,557 cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 3,754 in the Fraser Health region, 195 in the Island Health region, 473 in the Interior Health region, 216 in the Northern Health region, that an increase of  twelve since Friday.

84 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in people who reside outside of Canada.

Dr. Henry and Minister Dix also had the sad duty of reporting on six new deaths in British Columbia over the weekend from COVID related causes.

“There have been six new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 219 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic."

As part of the weekend review of those who have passed, was the first report of a death from the Northern Health Authority, however in keeping with their privacy protocols Northern Health Officials have not identified the community now grieving the loss of a resident to the virus nor has the Health Authority provided for any additional information.

The increasing numbers each day for British Columbia made for some of the focus for the commentary for the public health officials today, with both Dr. Henry and Minister Dix making note of the need to return to our smaller groups and more familiar circle.

“The number of new cases is placing a heavy strain on our public health teams and is a concern for all of us. Let’s help our public health teams to protect our loved ones by doing our part – every day. 

The symptoms of COVID-19 can be mild, making it easy to inadvertently spread the virus to others. We have seen this in many of the recent workplace and community exposures that trace back to private gatherings, large and small. 

Social connection is important for our mental and emotional well-being, but now is the time to stick with six, to keep our groups small and spend time with only people we know. 

Let’s set the routines at work, at school and when spending time with friends and family that will carry us through the pandemic. We know what we need to do. Let’s show each other the kindness that we all deserve by standing strong against COVID-19.”

You can review the full COVID-19 report for Monday 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, those past advisories  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 

Man wanted on range of Prince Rupert charges, taken into custody in Edmonton

Some trans provincial police work has brought a Prince Rupert man back into custody, with the Prince Rupert RCMP offering their thanks to the Edmonton Police Service for helping effect the arrest of a Prince Rupert man last month.

In an information statement released today, the Prince Rupert detachment announced the arrest of Cameron James Low, who was arrested August 31st in Northwest Edmonton. 

In March of 2020 Low was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, break and enter, possession of a weapon and disguise with intent.

All of that taking place following a Home Invasion with firearms where two men were seriously injured in the 1500 block of 8th Avenue East in Prince Rupert. 

Prince Rupert RCMP make arrests following East Side home invasion

In April of this year Low escaped the correctional facility in Logan Lake and remained at large until capture last month.

As part of the police work, the Prince Rupert RCMP received information through the investigation which led them to believe that Low was at the Edmonton location, with the local Mounties contacting the EPS to ensure for the safe and successful arrest.

This investigation highlights the inter-Provincial operations of organized crime groups from Northern B.C. The Prince Rupert RCMP remains committed to targeting individuals with ties to organized crime groups to ensure the safety of the public. -- Constable Chris Askey of the Prince Rupert RCMP. 

More background on the case file can be reviewed here.

There is no indication as to the next stage of the legal process now that the suspect has been returned to custody, or where he is now being incarcerated.

 

For further notes on the work of Emergency responders in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Civic Centre to reopen for user groups next week, Arena reopening set for October 3

The City of Prince Rupert is almost ready to reopen recreation facilities
at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre and Arena complex

With the Earl Mah Aquatic Centre back in the swim of things this week, the Prince Rupert Recreation Department has outlined the process ahead towards reopening the Civic Centre complex and the Arena.

In a Social Media post this afternoon, the City set the date of September 21st for the reopening of the Gym and Auditorium, with the Arena to reopen to user groups on October 3rd.

While the organized groups can now book their times, the General Public will have to wait further down the road towards any 'Drop In' opportunities at the Recreation Facility.

The City notes that at this time, drop-ins/public access times will not be available for the Gym, Auditorium, and Arena, and use of the space will be by registration with local user groups only. In order to use the space, local user groups are required to provide their safe management plans/practices to Recreation Staff in advance, and to follow the best practices laid out by their respective governing organizations for each sport/activity. 

As for larger scale, Event bookings, they will require prior approval and will be assessed on a case by case basis according to their ability to safely meet all event-related health restrictions set out by the Provincial Health Officer.

As we outlined last week, the Pool has reopened to use by appointment, with the Recreation Centre providing for an FAQ sheet last week to answer questions.

For more information on the full list of Safety protocols and procedures in place at Recreation Centre facilities see their information listings here.

You can get updates on the Recreation Centre from the Recreation Centre Facebook page.

More notes on municipal themes can be found from our archive page here.

Open Library means you can browse the shelves and borrow some books, as Prince Rupert Library reopens for patrons, but with special measures in place

The doors have reopened to the Public at the Prince Rupert Library, though
with some extra measures of note in place for patrons to follow

It's back to browsing for Prince Rupert residents as the Prince Rupert Library reopened its doors to the public this morning, offering a drop in for the general public for up to 30 minutes, with an occupancy limit of 10 visitors per half hour session.

The first hour of the day will be blocked off for Seniors and other in high risk groups, with the General Public invited to drop in from 11 AM- 4:30 PM

On Saturday's the hours for the Drop in Period for all users is 1PM - 430PM

The move towards more public access comes as part of the evolving response that the Library has made towards the COVID situation in recent months.

More notes on their future plans will be available this afternoon as the Prince Rupert Library hosts a Live announcement session through Facebook at 2:30 PM

You can review the full scope of how things are moving forward from this information notice from the Library.

Updates on Library services and events can also be found from the Prince Rupert Library Facebook page.

More items of interest on Community Events can be explored from our archive page.

Northern Savings is in step to help out Jim Terrion with Terry Fox Fundraising

Prince Rupert's Jim Terrion is ready for the 2020 Terry Fox run, 
owing to COVID-19 his fundraising hopes have shifted on line this year
(photo from Northern Savings)

Our times of COVID have required many changes to our long established routines and one popular fall event will be looking different as the Annual Terry Fox run goes virtual for 2020, marking the 40th year of the Marathon of Hope and one where they take on the challenges that COVID has presented.

The event which normally brings out a large crowd of Rupertites for a Fox Trot around the city is also one which has seen former Prince Rupert resident and Terry Fox Run Fundraiser Extraordinaire Jim Terrion looking for contributions through on line options this year.

In a Facebook note on the Northern Savings Facebook page, Stefan Delloch from the local financial institution outlined how COVID is making for changes for their program and Mr. Terrion's fundraising this year.

As Northern Savings notes, in more normal times, Mr. Terrion would be a familar face around town in these days leading up to the Terry Fox Run, door knocking much of the day to seek out the support of the community. 

Towards helping out Mr. Terrion, residents of the North Coast, Northwest and Haida Gwaii can log on to the TerryFox.org website and make their donation here.

Mr. Terrion has put forward a goal of $40,000 for the 2020 campaign, as of this morning he has raised $3,540 which is 9% of his target.

This years virtual event takes place this Sunday, September 20th.

Learn more about the Terry Fox Run here.

Updates from Northern Savings can be followed through their Social Media page.

More items of interest on Community Events can be explored from our archive page.

Mayor Brain's Dead Letter Office

More so than the previous versions of City Council, this current collection of Prince Rupert City Council members are relying more and more on Social Media to spread word of their ambitions and provide updates for community residents as to items of note that are related to civic issues.

That reliance on social media has increased greatly during the COVID-19 situation, with reduced access to City Hall and calls for making for Social distance as part of the civic response over the last few months.

That of course means that there is some distance between residents and their elected officials; or at least those that use Social Media (a good number of Prince Rupert residents are still not fans of Facebook and other online options and could be getting left on the side of the information highway here). 

As a result of that shift in focus for information sharing, some residents are making use of the Facebook postings to ask questions on a range of issues, but whether the response at times is timely or public remains somewhat unknown.

Two items of note pop to the top of the list of late, with a pair of Prince Rupert residents using the Mayor's most recent Facebook message celebrating the launch of the City's Official Community Plan to ask a couple of key quesitons of other newsworthy items.

In recent days, the Mayor's Social media platform has seen a request for more information related to the city's ongoing water issues from Shawatlans Lake, as well as the progress the city has found when it comes to bringing a Conservation Service Officer to town. 

As we noted this morning, the lack of updates on the Water situation has left some residents confused as the status for their water.

While the conservation officer issue is a frequent topic for City Council, the current focus has come after the recent dispatch of a wandering bear in the city by the RCMP.

So far however, both inquiries from the city's residents have yet to result in a response from the Mayor ...

Previously, Council has discussed of the need to be cautious not let the COVID situation become a block towards community engagement and response for residents.

Council members can check out the Mayors Facebook page, as well as that for the City of Prince Rupert to see what other items may have slipped through the information cracks in recent months.

If they find anything else of interest, they can always make use of the tonight's City Council session and the time set aside for Questions and inquiries from Council members to help fill in the information gaps for the public.

More notes on past Council Discussion themes can be reviewed here.

Approval anticipated tonight for City's Temporary Borrowing Bylaws for Woodworth Dam and Solid Waste Infrastructure projects

Approval of the borrowing plan for the Woodworth Dam replacement
and expansion of the Solid Waste site at Ridley Island is on the
Agenda for City Council tonight
(photo of Woodworth Day site from City of PR)

There most likely will be little discussion tonight when it comes to moving ahead with borrowing plans for two large scale infrastructure projects in the city, with Prince Rupert City Council on the cusp of giving First, Second and Third reading for two Bylaws tonight.

The focus for their work for the evening, approval of the borrowing plans for the Woodworth Dam replacement project and Solid Waste Infrastructure loan for the Ridley Island site.

As part of the Agenda for their only Council session in September, the Council members will receive a report from the City's Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben, which will outline the path ahead towards borrowing through the Municipal Financial Authority.

The path towards final approval on the borrowing plan began earlier this year, with City Council introducing the proposed financing plan in the spring, using the Alternate Approval Process as its approach for public consultation on their financing plans.

Earlier this summer, the City hosted two information videos on their YouTube page to outline the borrowing plans for the public

In a background item from the city's website, the Finance Department notes that It's anticipated that the loan request for the Woodworth Dam will be 10 million dollars, while the Landfill loan request is also listed as 10 million dollars.

More background on both projects can be explored through our Infrastructure archive page.

A look at what else is on the Council agenda for tonight can be found here.