Terrace continued to lead northwest B.C. in new COVID-19 cases for the fourth week in a row, recording 81 new cases between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6.
Kitimat reported only one new case, and Prince Rupert had 11 new cases, according to the latest British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) data.
Meanwhile, Smithers saw 31 new cases in its Local Health Area (LHA). There was one new case on Haida Gwaii and 18 in the Nisga’a LHA. There were eight new cases in the Snow Country - Stikine - Telegraph Creek LHA.
The BCCDC figures for cases in the Nass Valley may differ from the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority’s (NVHA) statistics because of differences in the way those organizations report cases.
In response to a recommendation by the NVHA, the Nigsa’a Lisims government endorsed a pause on cultural gatherings for three weeks, starting Oct. 29 to Nov. 19.
There were 12 new cases in the Upper Skeena LHA. Farther east, there were 16 new cases in Burns Lake, 20 in Nechako and 110 in Prince George.
In Smithers, five inpatients tested positive and one of those patients died in connection to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Bulkley Valley District Hospital. The outbreak declaration does not include the maternity section of the inpatient unit.
The hospital is under enhanced outbreak control measures and monitoring.
According to the BCCDC, Kitimat has hit 91 per cent of eligible people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — the only LHA in Northern Health higher than the province-wide average of 86.4 per cent on Nov. 10.
See the Nov. 9 two-dose list below, the per cent change from the previous week is indicated by brackets:
Kitimat - 91 per cent (+1)
Haida Gwaii - 84 per cent (+0)
Nisga’a - 84 per cent (+1)
Prince Rupert - 83 per cent (+1)
Snow Country - Stikine - Telegraph Creek - 80 per cent (+0)
Terrace - 79 per cent (+1)
Upper Skeena - 77 per cent (+2)
Smithers - 72 per cent (+0)
From Nov. 2-8, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 63.1 per cent of cases and between Oct. 26 and Nov. 8, they accounted for 70.8 per cent of hospitalizations.
Northern Health is booking appointments and offering drop-in clinics for first and second doses. People in Prince Rupert can visit the CORE Space Thursdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.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 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 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.
— With files from Katya Slepian