UPDATE: Outside 10-person gatherings now allowed in B.C., St. Patrick's Day alcohol sales ordered to cease early

British Columbia continues to see high COVID-19 numbers. 

In an on-camera press conference this afternoon (March 10), Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said 569 more cases of the virus were detected during the past 24 hours, bringing the grand total to 86,219. 

Of the new infections, Northern Health added 60 for an updated authority total of 5,045 since March 14, 2020.

Officials announced three additional deaths linked to the virus today, bringing the province's toll to 1,397.

Provincial total - 86,219
New Northern Health, region total - 60/5,045
Active B.C. - 4,912
Public monitoring B.C. - 8,900
Hospital B.C. - 244
ICU B.C. - 68
New deaths, total B.C. - 3/1397#bcpoli #COVIDBC #COVID19BC #COVID19 #bced #cityofpg @PGMatters

— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) March 11, 2021

There are currently 4,912 active cases throughout B.C. with 244 people in hospital, 68 of which are admitted in ICU or critical care.

A total of 79,829 cases are officially classified as recovered. 

Henry also made amendments to public health orders this afternoon, allowing outdoor gatherings with up to 10 people. 

"The provincial health officer order on gatherings and events has been amended to allow for outdoor gathering for up to 10 people," she said.

"This means your children can have a play-date with their friends for the March Break, but with their same group of friends, and if they're in school, the group of friends that they're in a cohort. So, you can meet friends outside and have a coffee, have a chance to have a connection, have a picnic in the park with your with your grandparents."

She stressed that all public health orders must be followed and all indoor gatherings are still banned.

Public health measures/orders have to be followed. Indoor gatherings are all still banned. #bcpoli #COVIDBC #COVID19BC #COVID19 #bced #cdnpoli #cityofpg @PGMatters

— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) March 11, 2021

Henry also tightened restrictions on alcohol service for St. Patrick's Day.

She amended her order for food and liquor service establishments "so that liquor sales for on-site, and off-site consumption must cease between 8 p.m. on March 17 until 9 a.m. on March 18th."

She said there will be "some caveats around full meal provision," and when restaurants must close, similar to restrictions put in place for New Year's Eve.

A similar order was put in place on Halloween as officials feared large group gatherings and alcohol consumption. 

*Important* With the amendment to the public health order on social gatherings in B.C. where you can meet up to 10 people, they MUST BE THE SAME 10 PEOPLE. You can't change them. #bcpoli #COVIDBC #COVID19BC #COVID19 #bced @PGMatters

— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) March 11, 2021

In education, the up-to-date list of northern B.C. schools marked for a COVID-19 exposure event is as follows: 

• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - March 1-3, 2021
• Ecole Roosevelt Park Community School (SD52) - March 2-5, 2021
• Hart Highlands Elementary (SD57) - March 1, 2021
• Mount Elizabeth Secondary (SD82) - March 1, 2021
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - March 1-3, 2021
• Houston Christian (Independent) - March 1-3, 2021
• Houston Secondary (SD54) - March 1-3, 2021
• Twain Sullivan Elementary (SD54) - March 1-3, 2021
• Silverthorne Elementary (SD54) - March 1-3, 2021
• Annunciation School Prince Rupert (Independent) - March 1-3, 2021
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 25-26, 2021
• Thornhill Primary (SD82) - Feb. 25-26, 2021
• Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 25-26, 2021
• Ecole Mountain View Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 25-26, 2021
• Nechako Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
• Mount Elizabeth Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
• Kildala Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 26, March 1-2, 2021
• Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 23-26, 2021
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
• Hazelton Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 25, 2021
• Skeena Middle School (SD82) - Feb. 22-26, 2021
• Sk'aadgaa Naay Elementary (SD50) - Feb. 19, 23, 2021
• Kildala Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 24, 2021
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 24-26, 2021
• Energetic Learning Campus - Fort St. John (SD60) - Feb. 22-24, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 16-19, 22, 2021
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 22-23, 2021
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 22-23, 2021
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 19, 2021
• Annunciation School - Prince Rupert (Diocese of Prince George) - Feb. 17-19, 22-23, 2021
• Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary - Hazelton (SD82) - Feb. 17-19, 22-24, 2021
• Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
• Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Feb. 17-19, 2021
• Chief Matthews School - Old Massett Village (Independent) - Feb. 17, 2021
• Notre Dame School (Private) - Feb. 16-18, 2021
• Sk'aadgaa Naay Elementary (SD50) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Gidgalang Kuuyas Naay Secondary (SD50) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 16, 2021
• Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 16, 2021
• Kispiox Community School (Independent) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Lac des Bois Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Spruceland Traditional Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 10-12, 2021
• Kispiox Community School (Independent) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Feb. 16-17, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 11, 2021
• Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
• Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Feb. 17-18, 2021; Feb. 11-12 and 16, 2021
• Chief Matthews School - Old Massett Village (Independent) - Feb. 12, 2021
• Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Feb. 9-12, 2021
• Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Feb. 8, 2021
• Duchess Park Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 9-12, 2021
• Crescent Park Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 2, 3, 10, 2021
• Dr. Kearny Middle (SD60) - Feb. 11, 12, 2021
• Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 11-12, 2021
• Cedars Christian (Independent, Prince George) - Feb. 10-12, 2021
• Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 2-5, 2021
• Dawson Creek Secondary - Central Campus (SD59) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
• Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
• Cedars Christian - Prince George (SD57) - Feb. 8, 2021
• Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 4-5, 8, 10, 2021
• Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Feb. 3-5, 8, 2021
• Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 10, 2021
• Spruceland Traditional School (SD57) - Feb. 8-9, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 8-10, 2021
• Pacific Coast School (SD52) - Feb. 4, 2021
• Giscome Elementary (SD57) - Feb. 4, 2021
• Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Feb. 5, 8, 2021
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Feb. 3-4, 2021
• Bear Valley School (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
• Thornhill Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 2-3, 2021
• Cassie Hall Elementary (SD82) - Feb. 5, 2021
• Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Feb. 1-3, 2021
• Suwilaawks Community School (SD82) - Feb. 2-4, 2021
• Charles Hays Secondary (SD52) - Feb. 8, 2021
• Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Feb. 1-3, 2021
• Tremblay Elementary (SD59) - Feb. 2, 2021
• Cedars Christian - Prince George (Independent) - Feb. 1, 2021
• Conrad Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 3, 2021
• Pineridge Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 3, 2021
• Port Edward Elementary (SD52) - Feb. 1, 2021
• Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 26-29, 2021
• Heritage Elementary (SD57) - Jan. 26, 2021
• Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 25-27, 2021; Jan. 28-29, 2021
• Duncan Cran Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 28-29, 2021
• Decker Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 22-26, 2021
• Notre Dame in Dawson Creek (Private) - Jan. 25, 2021
• Fraser Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 25, 2021
• Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 20-22, 2021; Jan. 26-27, 2021; Jan. 27-29, 2021
• Gudangaay Tlaats'gaa Naay Secondary (SD50) - Jan. 22, 2021
• Heritage Elementary (SD57) - Jan. 20-22, 2021
• Nak'albun Elementary (Independent) - Jan. 18, 2021
• Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Jan. 19-21, 2021
• Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 20-21, 2021
• Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Jan. 8, 2021; Jan. 12-13, 2021
• Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 13-15, 2021
• Houston Secondary (SD54) - Jan. 13-15, 2021
• Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Jan. 15, 2021
• Nak'albun Elementary (Independent) - Jan. 11-14, 2021
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Jan. 12-13, 2021
• DP Todd Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 4-6, 2021; Jan. 11-12, 2021
• Chalo School (Independent, Fort Nelson First Nation) - Jan. 5-7, 2021; Jan. 6-8, 2021
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021; Jan. 11, 2021; 13-14, 2021
• Clearview Elementary-Junior Secondary (SD60) - Jan. 7-8, 2021
• Centennial Christian - Terrace (Independent) - Jan. 11-12, 2021
• Houston Secondary (SD54) - Jan. 11-13, 2021
• Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Jan. 11, 2021
• Conrad Elementary (SD52) Jan. 11-13, 2021
• Prince Rupert Middle (SD52) - Jan. 8, 2021
• Lax Kxeen Elementary (SD52) - Jan. 7-8, 12, 2021
• Decker Lake Elementary (SD91) - Jan. 4-6, 2021
• Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 6-7, 2021
• Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Jan. 4-6, 2021
• McNaughton Secondary (SD28) - Jan. 6-8, 2021
• Valemount Secondary (SD57) - Jan. 6, 2021
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Jan. 4, 2021
• Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Jan. 4, 2021
• Mountain Christian (Independent) - Dec. 18, 2020
  • Dec. 18, 2020 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Cedars Christian - Prince George (Independent) - Dec. 14-16, 2020
  • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30, 2020
• Bert Ambrose Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 17-18, 2020
  • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 10-11, 2020
  • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Skeena Middle (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
  • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
  • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Parkside Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
  • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Ecole Mountain View Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 7-11, 2020
  • Dec. 1-4 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
• Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 11, 2020
  • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25 
• Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 14-16, 2020
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25
  • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30
• Alwin Holland Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
  • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Dec. 14-17, 2020
  • Dec. 14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31
• Bert Bowes Middle (SD60) - Dec. 14-16, 2020; Dec. 1-4, 2020; Dec. 17-18; Nov. 16, 18-20, 30, 2020
  • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 30, 2020
  • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Pinewood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 14-15, 2020; Dec. 14-18, 2020
  • Dec. 14-15 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
  • Dec. 14-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Southridge Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 10, 2020
  • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
• Caledonia Secondary (SD82) - Dec. 10-11, 2020; Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
  • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
• Heather Park Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 1-2, 3, 4, 7-8, 2020
  • Dec. 11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020 
• Westwood Elementary (SD57) - Dec. 9; Dec. 8, 2020
  • Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
  • Dec. 9 = Self-monitoring endedDec. 23, 2020 
• St. Mary's Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Dec. 8-11, 2020; Dec. 7-10, 2020; Dec. 3-4, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020
  • Dec. 7-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec 24, 2020
  • Dec. 8-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec.25, 2020
• Mountain View Christian Academy (Independent) - Dec. 8-10, 2020; Dec. 7-8, 2020
  • Dec. 7-8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
  • Dec. 8-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
• Thornhill Primary School (SD82) - Dec. 4, 7-11, 14-17, 2020
  • Dec. 4, 7-11,14-17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
• Walnut Park Elementary (SD54) - Dec. 9-10, 2020; Dec. 13-15, 2020
  • Dec. 9-10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
  • Dec. 13-15 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
• Shas Ti-Kelly Road Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 7-11, 2020; Dec. 1-2, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
  • Dec. 7-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
• College Heights Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 10-11, 2020; Dec. 17-18, 2020
  • Dec. 10-11 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 25, 2020
  • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• DP Todd Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1 and 2, 2020
• Dawson Creek Secondary - South Peace Campus (SD59) - Dec. 8, 2020; Nov. 16-18, 2020; Sept. 23-25, 2020
  • Dec. 8 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 22, 2020
• Smithers Secondary (SD54) - Dec. 7 and 10, 2020
  • Dec. 10 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 24, 2020
• Fort Nelson Secondary (SD81) - Dec. 7, 2020; Oct. 15-16, 2020
• Ecole Central Elementary (SD60) - Dec. 2-3, 4, 2020
• Nak’albun Elementary (Independent) - Dec. 3-4, 2020; Nov. 22-25, 2020; Sept. 16-18, 2020
• Suwilaawks Community School - Terrace (SD82) - Dec. 1-2, 3-4, 2020; Nov. 27, 30, 2020
• Kitwanga Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1-3, 2020
• Prince George Secondary (SD57) - Dec. 1-3, 2020; Nov. 18, 2020; Oct. 2, 2020
• Margaret Ma Murray Community School (SD60) - Dec. 1-4, 2020; Nov. 23-26, 27, 30, 2020
• Uplands Elementary (SD82) - Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 30, 2020
• Fort St. James Secondary (SD91) - Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 19-20, 20-26, 30, 2020
• Veritas Catholic School (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 30, 2020
• Anne Roberts Young Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 30, 2020
• Bert Ambrose Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 30, 2020
• David Hoy Elementary (SD91) - Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2020; Nov. 25-26, 2020; Sept. 17-18, 2020
• William Konkin Elementary in Burns Lake (SD91) - Nov. 16, 23-24, 23-27, 2020
• Energetic Learning Campus in Fort St. John (SD60) - Nov. 16-20, 23-27, 30, 2020
• Peden Hill Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 12-17, 17-20, 24-27, Nov. 30, 2020
• Centennial Christian in Terrace (Independent) - Nov. 23-26, 2020; Dec. 14-16, 2020
  • Dec. 14-16 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 29, 2020
• North Peace Secondary (SD60) - Nov. 10, 12-13, 16, 19-20, 24-26, 2020; Dec. 16-17, 2020
  • Dec. 17-18 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
• Sacred Heart Elementary (Diocese of Prince George) - Nov. 25-27, 2020
• Charlie Lake Elementary (SD60) - Nov. 23-24, 16-26, 2020, Dec. 14-18, 2020
  • Dec. 14-18 = Self-monitoring ended Jan. 1, 2021
• Ecole College Heights Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 19-20, 20-24, 2020
• Beaverly Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23-24, 2020
• Foothills Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 23, 2020
• Lakes District Secondary (SD91) - Nov. 23, 2020, Dec. 17, 2020
  • Dec. 17 = Self-monitoring ended Dec. 31, 2020
• Chetwynd Secondary (SD59) - Nov. 13, 2020
• Van Bien Elementary (SD57) - Nov. 9-10, 2020
• Ron Brent Elementary (SD57) - Oct. 30, 2020
• Hudson's Hope Elementary-Junior Secondary (SD60) - Oct. 26-Nov. 4, 2020
• Immaculate Conception School (Diocese of Prince George) - Oct. 21-23, 2020
• Roosevelt Park Elementary (SD52) - Oct. 21-22, 2020
• Notre Dame in Dawson Creek (Private) - Oct. 13-14, 2020
• Quesnel Junior Secondary (SD28) - Sept. 10-11, 15-18, 2020
• Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) - Sept. 10-11, 2020

Northern Health's school-exposure section explains the following:

• Contact tracing is initiated to determine how the individual was infected and who they were in close contact with
• We identify and notify close contacts who may be at an increased risk, and advise them to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days
• Only Public Health can determine who is a close contact
  • Learning groups, friends or other connections may not be determined to be a close contact
• Public Health staff works closely with the school and school district throughout the case and contact management process to maintain close communication with the school community

- With files from Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver