New COVID-19 cases in the Smithers Local Health Area (LHA) dramatically during the latest reporting period of the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
The LHA reported 31 cases between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6. down from 54 the week before and an all-time high of 117 in late September.
The Bulkley Valley District Hospital remained under enhanced outbreak control measures and monitoring on Nov. 15, following an outbreak in which five inpatients tested positive for the disease. One of those patients has died.
The outbreak declaration does not include the maternity section.
Meanwhile 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.
There was one new case on Haida Gwaii and 18 in the Nisga’a LHA. There were eight new cases in the combined Snow Country - Stikine - Telegraph Creek LHAs.
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. Further east, there were 16 new cases in Burns Lake, 20 in Nechako and 110 in Prince George.
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.
Two-dose vaccination coverage by LHA as of Nov. 9 (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.
In Smithers, the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre is open to appointments and drop-ins f0r first and second doses Nov. 17-18 and Nov. 23-25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
On Dec. 2 and 3, residents can also get a flu shot at Dze L K’ant.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Northern Health website or call 1-833-838-2323.
— With files from Katya Slepian