Terrace recorded more new COVID-19 cases between Oct. 10 and Oct. 16 than any other local health area (LHA) in northwest B.C.
The Terrace LHA saw 71 new cases, up from 54 reported during the previous week (Oct. 3 to Oct. 9). Kitimat reported a decrease from 18 to 16 new cases and Prince Rupert’s number of new cases dropped from 15 to 13, according to the latest British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) data.
Every LHA in the Northern Health Authority reported an average daily case rate of greater than 20 per 100,000 people except for Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii at 10.1 to 15 cases per 100,000 people and 0.1 to five cases per 100,000 people, respectively.
Meanwhile, Smithers saw 58 new cases reported in its LHA. There was one new case on Haida Gwaii and nine in the Nisga’a LHA.
The BCCDC figures for cases in the Nass Valley may differ from the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority’s statistics because of differences in the way those organizations report cases.
There were nine new cases in the Snow Country - Stikine - Telegraph Creek LHA, amid an outbreak in Tahltan communities.
There were 24 new cases in the Upper Skeena LHA. Farther east, there were 17 new cases in Burns Lake, 61 in Nechako and 286 in Prince George.
Northern Health is currently monitoring two COVID-19 outbreaks at northwest hospitals. One death is associated with an outbreak at Wrinch Memorial Hospital (WMH) in Hazelton. Eight patients and two staff members have tested positive for the virus as of Oct. 15.
In Smithers, four inpatients have tested positive and one of those patients died in connection to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Bulkley Valley District Hospital. As of Oct. 19, the outbreak declaration does not include the maternity section of the inpatient unit.
Both hospitals are under enhanced outbreak control measures and monitoring.
According to the BCCDC, Kitimat has hit 87 per cent of eligible people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — the only LHA in Northern Health higher than the province-wide average of 83.6 per cent on Oct. 20.
See the Oct. 19 two-dose list below, the per cent change from the previous week is indicated by brackets:
Kitimat - 87 per cent (+2)
Haida Gwaii - 82 per cent (+0)
Prince Rupert - 79 per cent (+1)
Nisga’a - 80 per cent (+2)
Snow Country - Stikine - Telegraph Creek - 78 per cent (+1)
Terrace - 76 per cent (+1)
Upper Skeena - 73 per cent (+0)
Smithers - 69 per cent (+2)
Northern Health is booking appointments and offering drop-in clinics for first and second doses. People in Prince Rupert can visit the drop-in clinic Oct. 23 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Prince Rupert Community Health Centre, or the CORE Space Fridays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
In Kitimat, people can get vaccinated at the Kitimat General Hospital Multi-purpose Room and should phone to check on clinic dates.
The Terrace Health Centre is taking drop-ins on weekdays between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Northern Health website or call 1-833-838-2323.
READ MORE: 18 tickets issued, 1,266 COVID-related complaints received in B.C. over vaccine cards