COVID-19 numbers and news for Dec. 23

There were 482 active COVID-19 cases in the Northern Health region as of Dec. 23 with 31 new cases reported Wednesday (1,651 total). 

There have been 1,152 recoveries, 16 related deaths, and 43,857 tests to date. Fifty-one are in hospital, 18 in critical care.

The BC Centre for Disease Control reports 39 cases in northeast B.C. from Dec. 11 to 17, and 386 since Jan. 1.

Between January and November, 160 cases were reported in Peace River North, 102 in Peace River South, and 5 in Fort Nelson.

Northern Health reports recent exposures at Bert Bowes school Dec. 14-16; Dawson Creek Secondary (South Peace) on Dec. 8; Fort Nelson Secondary Dec. 7; and Ecole Central Elementary Dec. 2-3.

Across B.C., there were 9,137 active cases reported as of Dec. 23, with 518 new cases reported Wednesday (48,027 total).

There have been 36,952 recoveries and 796 deaths to date, with 19 deaths reported Wednesday.

To date, 5,603 people have been immunized.

There are 357 patients in hospital, 84 in critical care.

In northern Alberta, there were 1,092 active cases, 5,089 recoveries, and 63 deaths as of Dec. 23. Thirty-nine are in hospital, four in critical care.

The latest for Dec. 23:

• Jubilee Lodge care aide Biserka Becker was the first person in northern B.C. to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

• Health Canada has authorized Moderna's vaccine. Canada should have at least 1.2 million doses from Pfizer and Moderna delivered by Jan. 31

• The latest on COVID at Site C: 27 cases to date, 6 workers in self-isolation.

The latest for Dec. 21:

• Air Canada says it has temporarily suspended flights between Canada and the U.K. in keeping with a government directive issued Sunday.

• The Canadian doses of Moderna's vaccine are being made in Switzerland and sent to Spain for the "fill and finish" process, where six doses will be filled into each vial and the vials packed into freezers for shipping. 

• Canada's deficit hit $216.6 billion between April and October from COVID-19 relief.

• The province is releasing about $12 million to school districts to further support the COVID-19 response.

• The latest on COVID at Site C: 26 cases to date, 9 workers in self-isolation.

• There has been an outbreak at two Coastal GasLink work camps.

• The federal government is directing the Canadian Transportation Agency to strengthen rules that require airlines to refund passengers for cancelled flights.

The latest for Dec. 17:

• The North Peace Arena won't be reopening in January as scheduled.

• B.C.’s Ministry of Health doesn’t have to give three First Nations COVID-19 data on cases outside their communities, B.C.’s information and privacy commissioner ruled Dec. 17.

• B.C.’s deficit is expected to grow to $13.6 billion by the end of the fiscal year next spring, almost a billion dollars higher than was forecast in September.

• The latest on COVID at Site C: 22 cases to date, 8 workers in self-isolation.

• Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna says it has fired "a number" of staff after a cluster of 60 cases of COVID-19 was discovered earlier this week.

• Some stock trading platforms say usership has spiked in 2020, as a whipsawing stock market and more time at home has a growing number of Canadians trying their hand at day trading.

The latest for Dec. 16:

• B.C. gaming investigators, conservation officers, community safety unit inspectors, as well as liquor and cannabis inspectors will be used to increase COVID-19 enforcement.

• When five-day-old Nora Forrest was first hospitalized with COVID-19, her parents didn't know if she would survive.

• Parliament's budget watchdog estimates the Liberals will spend more this year on a wage-subsidy program than expected, but less in 2021.

• A restaurant industry group is asking Canadians to imagine life without local restaurants after it says the country lost more than 10,000 eateries since the introduction of pandemic lockdowns.

• Canadians who worried about having enough food during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring were more likely to perceive their mental health as poor and report anxiety symptoms than those who did not, Statistics Canada said in a new report Wednesday.

• The latest on COVID at Site C: 22 cases to date, 11 workers in self-isolation.

The latest for Dec. 15:

• Premier John Horgan said the province will increase enforcement of health orders in the next two weeks – the heart of the traditional holiday season - including pursuing and collecting more vigourously from those who are issued fines.

• The Canada Revenue Agency says it is introducing a simplified process to claim up to $400 in office expenses for Canadians working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• B.C. has never had a higher number of serious COVID-19 infections than it has right now, with a record 361 patients in hospital with infections, and a record 93 of those people in intensive care units.

• The first vaccination in B.C. was administered Tuesday.

• The U.S. biotech firm Moderna is set to start delivering thousands of doses of its vaccine to Canada ahead of schedule this month, as long as it is approved it for use.

• The Moderna vaccine will likely “go straight up North” to remote communities because of the latter’s more lenient temperature requirements.

• There are 16 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,287 workers reported at camp.

The latest for Dec. 14:

• The COVID-19 vaccine will be coming to the Northern Health region next week.

• As vaccine rollouts begins, what you need to know about Canada's first doses.

• There are 17 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,334 workers reported at camp.

• Canadians have just days remaining to ship parcels in time for Christmas after Canada Post moved up deadlines because of the unprecedented holiday demand caused by COVID-19.

• No senior men's hockey this year — the NPHL has finally pulled the plug on the 2020-21 season. 

• Ottawa announces $485 million in new money toward the global effort to provide COVID-19 medicines to poor countries.

The latest for Dec. 10:

• The first doses of COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in northern B.C. in the first week of January, if not sooner, health officials said Thursday.

• B.C.s frontline healthcare workers are reporting high levels of stress and burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic as case numbers continue to climb.

• Parliament’s budget watchdog is raising red flags over the lack of details in the Liberal government’s $100-billion stimulus plan, suggesting Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s phone is likely "ringing off the hook" from lobbyists wanting a piece of the action.

• There are 20 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,399 workers reported at camp.

The latest for Dec. 9:

• The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be available in B.C. next week, health officials said Wednesday, though northern B.C. will remain on the waiting list until the new year.

• There are 20 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,424 workers reported at camp.

• Health Canada approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, paving the way for vaccinations to begin countrywide as early as next Tuesday.

• Positive news about vaccine delivery won't be enough to give the economy a shot in the arm to start 2021, the Bank of Canada says as it kept its key interest rate on hold and warned rising COVID-19 cases in Canada will weigh on near-term growth.

• Minks test positive for COVID-19 on B.C. farm where workers are sick.

• Economic Development Minister Mélanie Joly says federal marketing strategies might need to shift away from attracting foreign visitors to Canada for the foreseeable future, as COVID-19 keeps suppressing travel.

• B.C.’s information and privacy commissioner says his office continues to watch how a relaxing of privacy laws on sharing of COVID-19 health data is being handled by the provincial government.

The latest for Dec. 8:

• British Columbians will be able to apply to receive a one-time COVID-19 payment from the provincial government starting Dec. 18.

• Canada's chief public health officer says the first doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine are likely to be given only to people who can physically be at one of the 14 delivery sites identified by provincial governments for the first arrivals of the vaccine.

• There are 22 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,418 workers reported at camp.

• The average Canadian family will pay up to an extra $695 for food next year, as the pandemic, wildfires and changing consumer habits drive up grocery bills to the highest increase ever predicted by an annual food price report.

The latest for Dec. 3:

• Half of the patients reported in critical care across northern B.C. are fighting COVID-19 infections, according to new data from Northern Health.

• Cases detected among staff at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.

• B.C. is readying for what it is calling "Operation Immunize" as new infections continue to accumulate across the province. 

• Liberals' failure to be transparent on vaccines fuelling anxiety: O'Toole

• All indoor and outdoor sports for adults are banned in B.C., per the PHO. 

• There are 33 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,463 workers reported at camp.

• The COVID-19 pandemic’s surging second wave is intensifying feelings of stress and anxiety.

The latest for Dec. 2:

• Hospitals in northern B.C. whose intensive care units are full began sending their COVID-19 patients to Victoria this week.

• There have been 14 cases confirmed at the North Peace Seniors Housing apartments, though officials say most have since passed their infectious period.

• Walmart Canada says an employee at its Fort St. John store has tested positive for COVID-19.

• Premier John Horgan says British Columbians will need to keep holiday gatherings and celebrations to an "absolute minimum."

• Fort St. John may have cancelled its Santa Claus parade, but Dave Helton plans to drive his float around town nightly starting this Friday.

• Case counts grow to 52 at LNG Canada, but most have recovered.

• There are 32 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,470 workers reported at camp.

• Canada's chief public health officer says the priority list of people who will get vaccinated first against COVID-19 has to be refined because the initial six million doses won't be enough to cover them all.

• Refugee advocates are criticizing Canada's decision to resume deportations before the country irons out the details of a program to grant permanent residency to asylum-seekers who have been working in the health-care system during the pandemic.

• The head of Canada's transport regulator says the 11,000 complaints filed to the Canadian Transportation Agency since the onset of the pandemic will not start to be processed until early next year.

• Health Canada to make decision on Pfizer vaccine approval soon, feds say.

• Days after economic update, Liberals introduce bill for new COVID-19 spending.

The latest for Dec. 1:

• Around 300 people gathered in downtown Fort St. John on Tuesday to protest pandemic-related lockdowns and a World Economic Forum program known as "The Great Reset."

• BC Hydro says another three Site C workers have tested positive.

• The number of British Columbians dying from COVID-19-related complications has started to ramp up, with 16 fatalities in the past 24 hours, and 58 deaths in the past four days.

• Liberals defend vaccine deals and distribution plans.

• Provinces are criticizing the federal Liberals for failing to signal more help for health-care systems.

• A new poll suggests most Canadians aren't currently worried that people in other countries might get a COVID-19 vaccine first.

• Public health orders have to balance science with society to be effective, former MHO says

• Ottawa's plan to provide aid for the struggling tourism sector was greeted with relief Tuesday, while Canada's airlines awaited word on support for their industry.

The latest for Nov. 30:

• Canadians willingly, unwillingly, and sometimes unknowingly, gave up some of their civil liberties over the past eight months to try and slow the spread of COVID-19.

• The federal deficit is sailing toward $381.6 billion this year, but could close in on $400 billion if widespread lockdowns return in the coming weeks.

• There are 27 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,437 workers reported at camp.

• B.C. reported 46 related deaths over the weekend.

• Canadians’ pessimistic pandemic state of mind worsening.

• PM put all vaccine 'eggs' in one China basket, didn't consider other options: O'Toole.

• Ottawa must be more transparent regarding COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

• Nunavut is to start lifting a two-week lockdown on Wednesday as more people infected with COVID-19 recover.

• Merriam-Webster's top word of 2020 not a shocker: pandemic.

The latest for Nov. 27:

• There are 27 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,469 workers reported at camp.

• There were 35 new cases in the Northern Health region on Friday – tied with Wednesday for the highest number of new cases in a single day.

• Northern Health doctors are reminding residents to follow provincial health orders as the number of people testing positive for the virus continues to grow.

• Seniors columnist Ruby McBeth, on the library's homebound services: "Our public library has decided to help all seniors in these COVID times. In this second wave many seniors are reluctant to go into the library. Enter Jill Baccante."

• Trudeau feels most Canadians could be vaccinated by September 2021.

• When COVID-19 vaccines could be available and what we know so far.

• A look at what provinces and territories have said about vaccine plans.

• Former NATO commander Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin to lead vaccine distribution in Canada.

The latest for Nov. 26:

• Man arrested for assault in mask dispute at Dawson Creek Walmart.

• There are 32 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,436 workers reported at camp.

• Exposure alert at the Energetic Learning Campus between Nov. 16 to 20.

• Exposure alert at Charlie Lake Elementary on Nov. 23 and 24.

• The North West Junior Hockey League has suspended all regular season games.

• Adrian Dix remains health minister as Horgan announces new cabinet

• Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says a member of her inner circle committed a "personal betrayal" and fractured the working relationship of her COVID-19 team by leaking private conversations to the media.

• There's a fine line between a public health officer's duty to the people they serve and their duty to the elected officials who appoint them, scholars say.

• Health Canada expects first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved next month.

• Provinces push Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to pause planned increases in premiums workers and businesses pay into the Canada Pension Plan.

• The Federal Court has punted consideration of airfare refunds, which customers say they are owed following hundreds of thousands of cancelled flights, to provincial courts.

• New Statistics Canada data shows which industries were able to endure and bounce back from the first set of lockdowns.

• CERB recipients should be prepared to pay income tax on payments, experts say

The latest for Nov. 25:

• Northern Health is warning of possible Covid-19 exposures at the Ma Murray YMCA between Nov. 16 to 18.

• Plans to reopen the Ma Murray school gym to community groups have been pushed to the new year.

• There are 31 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,468 workers reported at camp.

• B.C. sees record 13 deaths linked to COVID-19 within a day.

• The province introduced a $230 fine for not wearing a mask in indoor public spaces.

• B.C. hopes to have vaccines by January 2021 — front-line workers as well as those in long-term care homes will likely have priority for vaccinations.

• The federal government granted 1,300 national interest exemptions during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow people into Canada who don't qualify under current border restrictions.

• A hotel worker in Nelson suffered a heart attack shortly after a confrontation with a patron who refused to wear a mask and wouldn't leave the hotel's coffee shop.

• The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the ability of lower income people to obtain legal assistance.

• Canada can and does make vaccines — just not the ones expected first to help stop the pandemic.

• Canada-wide survey of women's shelters shows abuse more severe during pandemic.

The latest for Nov. 24:

• The union representing B.C. teachers is continues to push for a mandatory mask policy in schools.

• BC Hydro says another worker at Site C has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

• There are 36 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,444 workers reported at camp.

• Two more Fort St. John flights have been added to the BCCDC exposure list.

• The Canadian Airports Council is asking the government to implement a COVID-19 testing program at airports to reduce or eliminate quarantine restrictions and provide interest-free loans or direct operational support for airports.

• A new poll suggests many Canadians are gaining weight because they're eating more and exercising less during COVID-19 pandemic.

• Nova Scotia imposes tough restrictions on Halifax after 37 new cases reported.

The latest for Nov. 23:

• Northern Health has declared an outbreak, and is reporting six cases of Covid-19 and one death at the apartment complex operated by the North Peace Seniors Housing Society.

• Northern Health is warning of possible COVID-19 exposures at Bert Bowes school on Nov. 16.

• There are 39 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,459 workers reported at camp.

• There were 1,933 confirmed new cases in B.C. since Friday, and 17 deaths.

• Drugmaker AstraZeneca said Monday that late-stage trials showed its COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective, buoying the prospects of a relatively cheap, easy-to-store product that may become the vaccine of choice for the developing world.

• Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says there will be an update on the health of federal finances on Nov. 30.

• Air filters have become big business in the age of COVID-19 — for the HVAC companies that can get their hands on them.

The latest for Nov. 20:

• Northern Health is warning of possible COVID-19 exposures at North Peace Secondary School over the last week.

• Four more Site C workers have tested positive for COVID-19, BC Hydro says.

• Volunteers needed as Northern B.C. Crisis Centre deals with jump in calls.

• Elections BC has revised its estimated pandemic vote turnout for the provincial election in October, but the increased figure is still a historic low for the province.

• Trudeau: "Quite frankly, a normal Christmas is right out of the question."

• More than two-thirds of the employers in Canada's oil and gas sector imposed labour cost reduction measures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, including 37% who enacted permanent layoffs.

• Here's how Canadian businesses can get up to 90% rent subsidy.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is warning that Canada's future hangs in the balance if people don't reduce their contacts to prevent dire new COVID-19 projections from becoming a reality.

• Approvals for immigration applications fell by about three-quarters from the months before the country shut down to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and after.

• A rapid rise in the number of active COVID-19 cases in First Nations communities on reserve — especially in Alberta and Saskatchewan — likely does not tell the full story due to lack of data.

The latest for Nov. 19:

• Travel and activities will be restricted across B.C. thanks to a spate of new public health orders.

• B.C. is making it mandatory to wear masks in public spaces, while social interactions will be under new restrictions until Dec. 7.

• Northern Health says it is rescinding the COVID-19 outbreak it declared at Peace Villa.

• Northern Health Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the LNG Canada site in Kitimat.

• More pandemic protection needed for B.C. seniors as second COVID-19 wave hits: report

• Canadian Centre for Cyber Security warns of fraudsters dangling COVID-19-related content to fool victims into clicking on malicious links and attachments.

•  The Canada-U. S. border is set to remain closed well into December.

• The CEO of Imperial Oil says rising COVID-19 infection numbers have stalled a recovery in demand for vehicle fuels produced in its Canadian refineries from the depths of the pandemic lockdowns in March and April.

• The $2,000-a-month Canada Emergency Response Benefit paid out just over $81.6 billion in benefits to 8.9 million people until it ended at the start of October.

The latest for Nov. 18:

• Northern Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Peace Villa after a worker tested positive for the virus.

• Two men living in a long-term care home in Dawson Creek were the latest in northern B.C. to die from the COVID-19 virus, Northern Health has confirmed.

• Northern Health is warning of a COVID-19 virus exposure at Chetwynd Secondary School on Nov. 13.

• There are 14 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,518 workers reported at camp.

• Canadians’ psychological distress, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new UBC study has found.

• School trustees have approved a plan to reopen the Ma Murray school gym to community clubs on a trial basis during the ongoing pandemic.

• B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming says he hopes the government will be able to avoid school closures under any scenario but he would defer to advice from public health officials should COVID-19 cases worsen.

• B.C. sees record 11 COVID deaths in a day, as hospitalizations reach record high.

• Northern British Columbians will need to bear down to avoid the restrictions now in place in the Lower Mainland, Northern Health officials warned Tuesday amid some worrying trends in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Premier John Horgan says he will lobby Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a national COVID-19 travel plan. 

• Alberta facing 'exponential growth' of COVID-19 cases.

• Modelling released by B.C. health officials last week indicates COVID-19 cases are doubling across the province roughly every two weeks. It’s a trajectory that puts the province on track for 4,000 cases per day by Christmas, said UBC infectious disease modeller Dan Coombs.

• Canada expects to receive six million doses of COVID-19 vaccines early in the new year, Ontario's health minister said Wednesday.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the military could play an integral part in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines across the country, though questions remain around cost and distribution.

•  Security, health experts to lead review of Canada's pandemic warning system.

• Nunavut's chief public health officer says capacity to deal with an outbreak of COVID-19 is "stretched," which is why the government has shut down the territory for two weeks to try to get cases of COVID-19 under control.

The latest for Nov. 12:

• British Columbia's children's representative says the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified inadequacies in mental health services as experts brace for rising rates of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress in children and young people.

• British Columbia's Labour Relations Board says it will provide neutral third-party "troubleshooters" to help iron out challenges arising from COVID-19 protocols in public schools.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the more generous benefits being provided to out-of-work Canadians during the pandemic shouldn't be seen as permanent changes to the social safety net.

• There are three Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,456 workers reported at camp.

• Fort St. John Remembrance Day services.

• Taylor Remembrance Day services.

The latest for Nov. 10:

• At a news conference, Premier John Horgan said the province may bring back stricter public health measures.

• Legion, other veterans groups to get $20M to weather COVID-19.

• B.C. COVID-19 hospitalizations rise to 142, highest since early April.

• New research shows Canadians aren’t reaching out for pandemic health services as much as they might.

• The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic may have boosted failing public trust in science and scientists, a new survey has found.

• The mayors of Canada's biggest cities are asking the federal government to add billions in extra spending on poverty-reduction measures to stamp out homelessness in their communities as part of an economic recovery from COVID-19.

The latest for Nov. 9:

• Fort St. John will use $3.7 million in COVID-19 recovery funding to cover this year’s budget shortfall, eliminating the need for potential tax increases.

• Premier John Horgan did not rule out returning to lockdown measures in British Columbia if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb.

• Tenants in British Columbia will be protected from rent increases until at least next summer.

• The provincial health office is advising travelers from northern B.C. and other regions of the province not to travel to the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions unless it is essential to try to limit the spread of COVID-19.

• Nunavut's chief public health officer says there is no evidence of community transmission in Sanikiluaq after the territory confirmed its second case of COVID-19 in the community on the weekend.

• Nova Scotia has introduced strict new rules for people arriving in the province from outside the Atlantic region.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he hopes to see COVID-19 vaccines roll out in Canada early next year, but warned that won't bring an immediate resolution to the pandemic currently seeing a resurgence in several provinces.

• Newly released statistics point to a notable drop in police-recorded crime during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest for Nov. 6:

• Employment in northeast B.C. was back to pre-pandemic levels in October, as 800 jobs were added and regional unemployment was pushed down to 5.6%.

• There are new government orders limiting events at private homes in B.C., but don’t expect a sweep of inspections through local neighbourhoods.

• There are seven Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,437 workers reported at camp.

• Central Mountain Air says it will resume service between Fort St. John and Prince George later this month.

• Real estate agents across B.C. are being asked to temporarily stop holding open houses.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says some COVID-19 vaccine candidates expected in the new year will pose significant logistical and distribution challenges.

• Nunavut's chief public health officer has confirmed the territory's first case of COVID-19.

The latest for Nov. 5:

• Fort St. John will receive $3.7 million in economic recovery funding from a federal package to help cope with COVID-19.

• Northeast B.C. has seen three straight months of job growth, but worry remains about the number of losses in full-time work and the construction and goods industries, and the impact that may have on the region's post-pandemic economic recovery.

• There are five Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,487 workers reported at camp.

• 2020 Remembrance Day services

• There were 425 new COVID cases reported in B.C. today, a new daily record.

• Employees have no constitutional Charter right to go against an employer’s mandate that staff wear masks as part of pandemic safety measures: lawyer

The latest for Oct. 30:

• Yukon has reported its first death from COVID-19 after an outbreak in the small community of Watson Lake.

• There are nine Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,595 workers reported at camp.

• Between 2021 and 2023, Ottawa plans to admit upwards of 1.2 million new permanent residents, even as pandemic rages on.

• The pandemic hasn't stopped federal political parties from raking in millions of dollars in donations.

• Canadian immunologists say they’re finding telltale markers in patients' blood that help predict the severity of COVID-19 and could lead to more targeted treatments.

• Publishing weak, careless and sometimes fake research on the novel coronavirus is eroding trust in science, leading people to ignore public health advice, a new report from the Royal Society of Canada warns.

• Canada's premiers are growing impatient with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's failure to schedule a meeting to discuss their demand for at least $28 billion more each year for health care.

The latest for Oct. 29:

• There are six Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,598 workers reported at camp.

• The Fraser Health region had nearly three quarters of the 1,818 new COVID cases over the last week.

• The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said Thursday its latest business barometer, which measures the outlook of entrepreneurs, fell six points in October to hit a five-month low of 53.3.

• Fewer wells to be drilled in Alberta and Saskatchewan but more in British Columbia as PSAC updates forecast.

The latest for Oct. 28:

• Northern Health is warning of a possible COVID-19 exposure at Fort Nelson Secondary School earlier this month, but says the risk of any new cases is "very low."

• Canada has reversed about two-thirds of the economic decline seen in the first half of the year, says the Bank of Canada, but officials estimate the economy will still shrink by 5.7% this year.

• There are 12 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,624 workers reported at camp.

• A youth soccer club in Chilliwack has hired a security firm to patrol the sidelines during games because of what the club describes as "borderline violent" confrontations over COVID-19 restrictions.

The latest for Oct. 27:

• Fort St. John city council offered no solutions Monday to trim an estimated $2.8 million deficit and steer away from five years of predicted tax increases, but some had plenty to say about media headlines and taxpayers talking online about city spending.

• There are 13 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,622 workers reported at camp.

• As of the end of August, the four big energy megaprojects in B.C. employed roughly 12,500 workers. That includes 4,600 at Site C dam, 2,849 for the Coastal GasLink pipeline and 3,000 with LNG Canada.

• Health officials monitor record 5,101 people.

• Financial columnist Brad Brain, on investing: "A lot of people fear bear markets, but there is nothing inherently evil about things coming down in price. In fact, bear markets can be a phenomenal opportunity to acquire more shares in great investments at cheap prices."

• he federal government is asking senators to conduct a "dispassionate" review of its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic — as partisan combat over the issue continues among elected members of the House of Commons.

• The country's top public servant is offering to testify about controversial redactions to some 5,000 pages of documents the government released on the WE Charity affair.

• Monday's re-election of another incumbent premier in Canada's third recent provincial election shows Canadians don't want to "rock the boat" during a global pandemic, say political experts.

The latest for Oct. 26:

• Under a new public health order, gatherings in private homes will be restricted to immediate family members and an additional six others.

• There are 12 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,592 workers reported at camp.

• Several Fort St. John user groups were frustrated and blindsided last week when the city abruptly announced the North Peace Arena wouldn’t be reopening in November as planned.

• The city says while people have been hired to address the a rec staff shortage, the city concluded some of the new staff could not be properly trained to meet the technical requirements in time to reopen Nov. 2.

• Opposition parties in Ottawa won their bid Monday to launch a probe of the Liberals' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• No anchor to keep spending from spiralling, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

• The Fort St. John Huskies and Dawson Creek Junior Canucks will be back on the ice this weekend.

The latest for Oct. 23:

• A passenger with COVID-19 was aboard a flight to Fort St. John on Oct. 15.

• There are six Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,628 workers reported at camp.

• British Columbia votes in snap election called during COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest for Oct. 22:

• Surge in COVID-19 cases could bring more restrictions.

• The province has had a total of 12,331 cases, while 10,114 are considered recovered.

• The City of Fort St. John is forecasting a $2.8 million deficit this year due to the pandemic.

• There are seven Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,575 workers reported at camp.

• Horgan claims: increase in COVID cases not because of election.

• Stage North returns to the stage tonight for the first time since the pandemic began.

• The 2020 Professional Bull Riders Canada Monster Energy Tour Finals will now be held in Grande Prairie Nov. 5 to 7. 

• Canada's chief public health officer says messages on COVID-19 pandemic might seem inconsistent, but that’s because the epidemiology is different across the country and the science on the virus has evolved.

The latest for Oct. 20:

• Three more Site C workers have tested positive for COVID-19, BC Hydro said Tuesday.

• Peace River North candidates, party leaders weigh in on ending B.C.'s state of emergency.

• Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. is in the second wave of the pandemic. 

• Trudeau hands out advice on Halloween, saying 'sacrifice' necessary for many.

• Canada's chief public health doctor is worried about the amount of false information being floated about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest for Oct. 13:

• BC Hydro is reporting a third COVID-19 case at the Site C work camp.

• There are six Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,607 workers reported at camp.

• The Fort St. John Huskies and Dawson Creek Junior Canucks will begin their five-game exhibition series this Friday — no fans allowed.

• Recreation vehicle, boat sales revved up in July, while booze sales were up 14.3%.

• B.C. health officials identified 549 new COVID-19 cases in the past four days as a backlog in testing was cleared by BC Centre for Disease Control staff.

• Operators of Canada's conference centres, airports and stadiums are joining a global rush to be certified as pandemic-resistant while they compete for events and visitors that will bring billions of dollars in economic benefits for their cities.

• Canadian universities could lose as much as $3.4 billion this year, Statistics Canada has projected, in large part due to a decrease in the number of foreign students.

• Many households reported being just hundreds of dollars away from bankruptcy, a sign they're living paycheque to paycheque.

The latest for Oct. 9:

• Another 1,200 jobs were added in northeast B.C. in September

• Fort St. John has seen a rebound in real estate activity in the second half of 2020, after a sluggish start and drop earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The City of Fort St. John has collected the large majority of taxes owed this year after extending the deadline due to COVID-19.

• B.C.’s municipal managers, councillors and salaried staff largely avoided COVID-19 cost-cutting measures while the lowest-paid city hall employees have borne the pandemic’s brunt.

• There are two Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,658 workers reported at camp.

• Another $100 million is being added to the Emergency Food Security Fund for food banks.

• Calls for the return of hazard pay are mounting as workers on the front lines of Canada’s retail industry grow increasingly anxious amid rising COVID-19 cases.

•  Walmart Canada is hiring 10,000 people after announcing a $3.5-billion investment to drive growth.

The latest for Oct. 8:

• Nunavut's chief public health officer says an outbreak of COVID-19 at a gold mine has been contained.

• Health Canada is in talks with all of the vaccine developers that signed supply deals with the federal government to kickstart the approval process and get COVID-19 vaccines to Canadians as soon as possible.

• There are three Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,646 workers reported at camp.

• Dr. Bonnie Henry is urging businesses to ensure they are in compliance with health and safety standards to protect employees from COVID-19.

• Canada's privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien warns the pandemic is fuelling rapid societal and economic changes at a time when outdated laws provide inadequate protection — he cites the heated debates about contact-tracing applications and their effect on privacy, and the fact many have been asked to provide details about their health at the airport, or before entering workplaces and stores.

• As payment deferrals offered during the height of the pandemic come to an end and many Canadians remain out of work or underemployed, experts say if you think you need financial help, the sooner you seek it the better.

• Ottawa doubles COVID fund for abused women to $100 million.

The latest for Oct. 7:

• Canada's chief electoral officer is asking Parliament to quickly pass a temporary new law to give Elections Canada the tools it needs to conduct a federal election safely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• North Peace Secondary is running three sports programs right now — all four volleyball teams, boys soccer, and cross country. Official competition has been ruled out, there are no team scrimmages, and physical distancing and masks are part of the practice norm.

• There are six Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,667 workers reported at camp.

• A new study says many Canadian entrepreneurs are focused on shoring up their balance sheets after recording a drastic drop in revenues and mounting debt during the first wave of COVID-19.

• The pandemic may serve as an opportunity for the restaurant industry to innovate in order to avoid closures as public health measures limit the sale of booze and erode already thin profit margins, say addiction and business experts.

• Parliament's spending watchdog says relatively little of the government's new sickness benefit will go to people who have tested positive for COVID-19.

• The number of daily COVID-19 cases reported in Canada increased 40 per cent in the last week compared to the previous one, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says.

The latest for Oct. 6:

• Three Americans were fined $1,000 each after breaking federal COVID-19 travel rules and dining at a restaurant in Fort St. John this summer.

• There are seven Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,666 workers reported at camp.

• A strong majority of B.C. teachers say that health and safety measures in place to stem the spread of COVID-19 are inadequate, says the BCTF.

• The B.C. Centre of Disease Control has released guidelines for Halloween.

• The first antigen rapid test for COVID-19 gets Canadian approval.

• The Liberals and the NDP have blocked an effort by the Conservatives to get the WE Charity affair probed ahead of a study into why the Liberals prorogued Parliament.

The latest for Oct. 5:

• There are four Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,596 workers reported at camp.

• Dawson Creek Secondary School's South Peace campus is the latest school with an exposure alert.

• The Northeast B.C. Community Foundation began accepting applications for round two of the Emergency Community Support Fund on Oct. 1, for charities affected by COVID-19.

• BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson and BC NDP leader John Horgan both announced their seniors plan for this election.

• Wilkinson announced a $7,000 tax credit for seniors and home support services, and plan to invest $1 billion over the next five years to fast track construction for long term care facilities across the province.

• Horgan says he'll spend $1.4 billion over 10 years to revamp elder care facilities and their administration.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he was tested for COVID-19 last month after developing a "tickle" in his throat but it came back negative.

• A $35-million program first announced at the end of July will subsidize farms' purchases of personal protective equipment and sanitary stations and it will help to cover extra costs in cases of COVID-19 outbreaks.

The latest for Oct. 2:

• There are three Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,639 workers reported at camp.

• Crown corporations have handed out an estimated $422 billion in loans, guarantees and deferrals to businesses since the start of the pandemic, the parliamentary budget officer says in a report that warns about a lack of details around the measures.

•  A bill authorizing new benefits for workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic received royal assent Friday, assuring continued financial support now that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit has come to an end.

• The lead-up to Remembrance Day will look a little different this year as the Royal Canadian Legion adapts its poppy campaign to the pandemic.

• Suncor Energy says it will eliminate as many as 1,930 jobs over the next 18 months as a result of cost-cutting to deal with low oil prices and market volatility.

The latest for Oct. 1:

• The first-ever assembly at Anne Roberts Young Elementary School was missing one important thing — its students. Staff, community dignitaries and invited guests celebrated the grand opening of the brand new school on Sept. 28 as students and teachers watched via video from their classrooms. 

• The federal government is promising to finally spend $10 billion that has sat in the accounts of its infrastructure financing agency for years, hoping to create thousands of post-pandemic jobs.

•  The RCMP has eased restrictions that sidelined bearded officers, including some Sikh and Muslim members, from front-line policing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The government's representative in the Senate is promising to introduce a motion Friday to hold hybrid sittings of the upper house during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest for Sept. 30:

• The Inconnu Swim Club made a splash, literally, when they jumped back into the pool last week for the first time since March. 

• Hudson’s Hope councillors will move their meetings back to the chambers starting Oct. 13.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,616 workers reported at camp.

• The pace of Canada's economic rebound slowed in July, and maybe even more in August, Statistics Canada says.

• Hundreds of Canadian employees of Royal Dutch Shell could be affected by its plan revealed Wednesday to cut between 7,000 and 9,000 jobs worldwide by the end of 2022.

• Health Canada has given the green light to a rapid test for COVID-19. 

• Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole used his first speech in the House of Commons as party leader to lambaste the Liberal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The House of Commons unanimously passed legislation authorizing new benefits for workers left jobless or underemployed by the pandemic.

• After being rushed through the House of Commons in a single day, a bill authorizing new benefits for workers impacted by the pandemic has hit a roadblock in the Senate.

The latest for Sept. 29:

• Government House leader Pablo Rodriguez says proposed legislation for new COVID-19 aid programs will be a matter of confidence in the minority Liberal government.

• The federal deficit for the year is on track to hit $328.5 billion as a result of COVID-19.

• Trudeau pledges extra $400 million in humanitarian aid to fight COVID-19

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,606 workers reported at camp.

• B.C. has now reported more than 9,000 cases — of those, 7,485 people have recovered.

• There 69 British Columbians in hospital, 20 in intensive care. There has not been more people in hospital with COVID-19 in B.C. since May 8.

• Ottawa unveils guidelines and deal for rapid COVID-19 tests as calls for approval mount.

• Montreal restaurateurs say they don't understand why the provincial government is ordering their businesses to close even though there have been no COVID-19 outbreaks tied to the city's famed restaurant industry.

• Figures from the Canada Border Services Agency show international air travel remains severely depressed.

The latest for Sept. 14:

• Dr. Bonnie Henry says the public will be informed if there are any COVID-19 outbreaks in schools.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his government against accusations it didn't act fast enough to warn Canadians about the danger COVID-19 posed to health and the economy.

• Trudeau warned Canadians against relaxing their guard against COVID-19 as he and his cabinet kicked off two days of closed-door meetings to discuss the pandemic and how to lead the country through a second wave.

• Air passengers will be asked to provide contact information at check-in so local public health officials can get in touch if needed.

• There are three Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,539 workers reported at camp.

• The Fort St. John Senior Flyers hockey club is optimistic about icing a team this season, but remains unsure of when on-ice activities will begin.

• When the 2020-21 Inconnu Swim Club season begins Sept. 21, it will be under the direction of new head coach Josh Sorensen.

• A trio of federal cabinet ministers is warning COVID-19 researchers to take additional precautions to protect their efforts from thieves and vandals.

The latest for Sept. 10:

• Pandemic puts B.C. on course for $12.8 billion deficit. The projected provincial debt is now $59.8 billion.

• B.C. report projects economic decline of 6.7 per cent.

• B.C. parents are calling for remote learning options.

• Dr. Bonnie Henry says she doesn’t foresee a situation where the school system would need to close down, as it did in March.

• The City of Fort St. John is urging the province to develop plans and timetables for reopening casinos.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,562 workers reported at camp.

• Less than two weeks before Parliament is to resume sitting, no one knows how it is going to function amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

• Uneven rebound poses risk for entire economy, Bank of Canada governor says.

The latest for Sept. 9:

• B.C. is spending $1.6 billion on flu immunization, health care staffing, testing, and contact tracing.

• Increasing case counts in B.C. are partly the result of increased testing.

• The Site C workforce continued its approach back to 5,000 in July as construction nears pre-pandemic levels and record-high employment set earlier this year.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,553 workers reported at camp.

•  WE Charity says it is closing its Canadian operations, blaming COVID-19 and the political fallout with the Liberal government.

• The federal government is extending by one month the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program for small businesses.

• The federal government and eight banks have launched a $221-million program for Black Canadian entrepreneurs, more than half of it for cash loans.

• The annual Terry Fox Run is going virtual throughout the Peace region this year to mark its 40th anniversary.

• The Northeast B.C. Predators wrapped training camp in Tumbler Ridge last week, and are ready and cleared to begin play in the Northern B.C. Female A League in October.

• The Fivestar Boxing Academy kept things rolling throughout the summer, and is ready to resume full training for the fall.

The latest for Sept. 8:

• The average daily number of Canadians testing positive over the last week is 545 — a 25% increase over the previous week

• There are two Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,519 workers reported at camp.

• The level of satisfaction with how the federal government has dealt with the pandemic fell by six points to 64%, a rating identical to the one posted by municipal administrations.

• For those who have chosen to send their kids back to school, mornings are soon about to get a little more complicated.

The latest for Sept. 4:

• Another 1,700 jobs were added in northeast B.C. in August, dropping regional unemployment to 7% — the lowest in all of B.C.

• Northern Health has warned residents to avoid large gatherings over the long weekend.

• Two passengers fined $1,000 each after refusing to wear masks on WestJet flights.

• The two-metres rule-of-thumb might not always be necessary for students, says Dr. Bonnie Henry. 

• The B.C. government has capped rent increases for next year at 1.4%.

The latest for Sept. 3:

• The B.C. Teachers Federation wants $242 million in federal funding earmarked for B.C.’s return to in-class instruction to decrease class sizes and promote physical distancing.

• Education Minister Rob Fleming says school districts will decide where best to devote the $242 million in federal funding.

• The B.C. government says temporary pandemic pay that was promised to essential workers in mid-May should be coming in October.

• 61% of Canadians who took part in the Pew Research Center survey released Thursday described the country's current economic situation as bad.

• Premier John Horgan says the province will continue to use a "carrot and stick" approach to encouraging people to follow COVID-19 safety measures.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,480 workers reported at camp.

• The Liberal and Conservative parties say they'll no longer use the federal government's wage-subsidy program.

• The commander of the Canadian Armed Forces is encouraging his troops to download the federal government's app for tracking potential exposure to COVID-19, saying he has no privacy or security concerns about the program.

• The head of Canada’s public health agency has offered some tips for safe sex in a pandemic, suggesting that in-person contact doesn’t have to mean face-to-face.

• The 2021 world luge championship will not be held in Whistler because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• International travellers arriving at Toronto's Pearson airport can now be tested for COVID-19 as part of a voluntary study to explore the effectiveness of quarantines.

The latest for Sept. 2:

• There are now 33 people in B.C. hospitals battling the disease – the most since May 30, when there were 35 people in hospital.

• The Lido closed with laughs and reopens with more when the Peace Country Comedy Festival comes to Fort St. John next week.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,496 workers reported at camp.

• Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says overcoming western alienation and helping Canada's post-pandemic economic recoveries are among his top priorities.

• Health Canada has reversed course on home test kits for COVID-19, saying it will now review applications for such devices.

• Canada expects to make a financial contribution to the international vaccine coalition known as COVAX, aiming to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine to poorer countries that couldn't afford it.

• A group of tech companies is making a pitch to the federal government to help startups grow as part of a COVID-19 recovery plan, which could in turn cover costs for expanded social programs.

The latest for Sept. 1:

• A passenger with COVID-19 was aboard a flight out of Fort St. John on Aug. 26, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

• An employee at the Rolla Ag has been confirmed for COVID-19.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,477 workers reported at camp.

•  An outbreak in the Nass Valley has prompted an alert from the Northern and First Nations health authorities.

• The Pomeroy Sport Centre and Kids Arena Fieldhouse will open Tuesday, Sept. 8. The opening of the North Peace Leisure Pool has been pushed to Saturday, Sept. 19. 

• The federal government does not plan to make getting a COVID-19 vaccine mandatory.

• Legislature columnist Les Leyne, on the pandemic eating B.C.'s last surplus, and current one too: "The ongoing countermeasures all rely on billions of dollars of new debt."

• Dr. Bonnie Henry's says her back-to-school ad being criticized as unrealistic wasn't meant to be a commercial about what classrooms would look like.

The latest for Aug. 31:

• With the coming of fall and flu season, British Columbians need to go back to shrinking their social bubbles and interactions, says provincial health officer Bonnie Henry.

• The pandemic turned B.C.'s 2019-20 budget forecast from black to red in less than three months, with the government's final budget numbers for the fiscal year ended March 31 showing a deficit of $321 million. This year's budget numbers are pointing to a 2020-21 deficit of $12.5 billion,

• The federal government has signed agreements with two more American suppliers to reserve millions of doses of their experimental COVID-19 vaccines for Canadians.

• As the Liberal government toils away on a throne speech and post-pandemic recovery plan, newly elected Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is equally at work on his own response.

• A passenger suffering a case of COVID-19 was aboard a flight out of Prince George on Aug. 21. 

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,443 workers reported at camp.

• Canada's federal banking regulator is phasing out requirements around mortgage deferrals for homeowners hard-hit financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Capital spending in the country's oil and gas sector fell by 54 per cent in the quarter ended June 30 as numerous producers chopped budgets amid sliding global oil prices.

The latest for Aug. 28:

• A new public health alert warns of potential COVID-19 exposures after events in Prespatou. 

• The federal government ran a deficit of $120.4 billion during the first three months of the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

• With the school year approaching, B.C.'s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported Thursday eight suspected cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children – a condition temporally linked to COVID-19.

• Canada's chief public health officer says families should expect to see cases of COVID-19 in schools as children head back to class.

• The federal government is extending travel restrictions by one month.

• Drug seizures at the B.C. border have plummeted.

• WestJet passengers in Vancouver may soon be taking COVID-19 tests before takeoff.

The latest for Aug. 27:

• The majority of cases in northeast B.C. from January to July were in Peace River North, according to new data published by the BC Centre for Disease Control.

• All indications are B.C. politicians will continue to avoid the B.C. Legislature by conducting meetings remotely, while also sending children and teachers into classrooms with no physical distancing among cohorts.

• The double blow of collapsing oil prices and the COVID-19 crisis have pushed Alberta into a historic deficit of $24.2 billion.

• Warnings of possible COVID-19 exposure have been issued for eight more flights.

• There are four Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,511 workers reported at camp.

The latest for Aug. 26:

• Band will continue, inter-school sports are cancelled, and mandatory masks on the bus — click here for highlights from School District 60's restart plan.

• The federal government is promising to deliver “up to” $2 billion to provinces and territories to bolster safety plans to bring students back into the classroom.

• The North West Junior Hockey Leage season won't begin on time, though teams could begin a modified season, or "pod play", on Oct. 26.

• B.C. seniors in long-term care and their family members are being asked to participate in a survey to chronicle their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest for Aug. 25:

• A 20-year-old Victoria man who had two parties broken up over the weekend says he plans to fight the $2,300 ticket he received for breaching the COVID-19 Related Measures Act.

• MP Bob Zimmer, on PM Trudeau shutting down Parliament: "Earlier this year, the Prime Minister shamefully suspended regular sittings of the House of Commons to try to avoid accountability. Now he has locked out Opposition MPs who were working hard to fix his government’s pandemic programs, help Canadians, and get to the bottom of the WE scandal.

• MLA Dan Davies, on the NDP's school plan: "I know there will be a lot of challenges ahead, but I cannot thank parents, teachers and school districts enough for everything they have done to help support our children’s learning and for reaching out and engaging with my colleagues and me as much as they have these past few months — and I hope you will all continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead."

• The BC Centre for Disease Control has added several more flights to its list of possible COVID-19 exposures.

• The federal government is pledging $82.5 million to improve access and address growing demand for mental health services in Indigenous communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Canada's chief public health officer is warning against the spread of online untruths about vaccines, as a new survey suggests some Canadians are worried about getting inoculated against COVID-19.

The latest for Aug. 24:

• More than 260 new cases have been confirmed since Friday, but B.C. is still doing a good job of limiting the virus’ spread through contact tracing, says Dr. Bonnie Henry.

• Enbridge recently made a donation of $10,000 to the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation's COVID-19 Greatest Need Campaign.

• British Columbians have never bought so much legal weed. The province’s legal cannabis retailers sold $29,393,000 worth of recreational marijuana products in June – almost seven times the $4,230,000 in revenue that they generated in June 2019.

• Health experts don’t know exactly what it will look like having two viruses – the flu and COVID-19 – circulating at the same time this fall, but it could be “dangerous.”

• Use glitter to teach kids about COVID spread, paramedics say.

• When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, trucker Dave Wye had to think long and hard about whether he was willing to stay on the front lines. The 54-year-old, a second-generation long-haul driver from Windsor, Ont., worried his exposure while transporting whiskey and wine between Quebec and Kentucky would risk his own health as well as his family's.

• Victoria police have handed out tickets to partiers breaching provincial health orders two nights in a row — both times at the same residence.

The latest for Aug. 21:

• Property owners and organizers can be fined $2,000 for hosting events in violation of public health orders in B.C. under stronger penalties announced today.

• Police and the likes of liquor, gaming and conservation inspectors and officers can now fine site owners, such as businesses, or organizers of gatherings and events who contravene the provincial health officer's order on gatherings and events, which are limited to under 50 people and must provide for physical distancing and other safety measures.

• But facing media questions, it is not clear, in some instances, what constitutes a violation, nor is it clear the body of evidence that supports these new enforcement measures. Farnworth was not able to provide data on how many cases of COVID-19 have occurred as a result of explicit violations of public health orders.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,466 workers reported at camp.

The latest for Aug. 20:

• The federal Liberals are rolling out a $37-billion income-support plan for workers whose earnings have crashed during the pandemic.

• An independent Senator is advocating for an experimental basic income program at the provincial level, citing the complications to the employment insurance program after the end of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,459 workers reported at camp.

The latest for Aug. 19:

• For the third day in a row, a record number of people are fighting COVID-19 infections in B.C. — the count rose to 798 on August 19, up from 775 on August 18, and 743 on August 17.

• Canada’s natural resource and manufacturing sectors can provide up to 2.6 million jobs and a 17% jump in GDP to guide the nation’s economic recovery through the COVID-19 pandemic, says a new report issued Wednesday.

• The B.C. Teachers' Federation wants the province to reduce class sizes and make the use of masks mandatory wherever physical distancing isn't possible as part of its back-to-school plan.

• The Northeast Regional Community Foundation says it has awarded $75,000 in emergency grants to eight Peace region groups responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,474 workers reported at camp.

• Some four million workers will move onto EI next month when a key COVID-19 benefit for workers, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, begins to wind down.

The latest for Aug. 18:

• The province has again extended its provincial state of emergency.

• A third and final regional business liaison has been hired to help area businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,444 workers reported at camp.

• Stricter penalties are on the way for those who ignore public health guidelines, after the province reported a record-breaking jump in COVID-19 cases.

• How COVID-19 is changing back-to-school shopping and budgets.

• MLA Dan Davies, on the NDP's back to school plans: "At a time when B.C. is recording more daily cases of COVID than we have seen since April, households with immune-compromised children or multi-generational families are seeking other learning options for their children. Troublingly, the NDP isn’t offering the same hybrid learning options that were available in June and most of the distance learning programs that are available are already being overwhelmed with applications."

• Financial columnist Brad Brain, on how to create wealth: "The most profitable businesses are difficult to live without, difficult to compete with, difficult to replicate. I will use some examples to illustrate. Let’s say that you have a choice between investing in a Canadian bank, or a marijuana company."

• Taking on more credit card debt has not been part of the pandemic plan for many Canadians — credit card balances fell 12.3 per cent in the second quarter compared with the same period a year ago.

• The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has added more domestic flights to its list of possible COVID-19 exposures.

• B.C. will continue to offer a $300 COVID-19 crisis supplement for low-income seniors, as well as financial support for provincial disability and income clients.

The latest for Aug. 17:

• Northern Health says a religious event in northern Alberta has contributed to a spike in new COVID-19 cases in northeast B.C.

• Staff and students at middle and secondary schools in B.C. will be required to wear masks on buses and in common areas when classes resume.

• From masks to cohorting, a guide to back-to-school rules across the country.

• There are no plans to make face masks mandatory in Fort St. John, but Mayor Lori Ackerman says she’s been wearing one to help keep her vulnerable family members and friends safe.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,421 workers reported at camp.

• Only a small fraction of the 40,000 new ventilators Canada ordered for hospitals last spring have already been delivered.

• The CFL cancelled its season Monday, meaning the Grey Cup won't be presented for the first time since 1919.

• COVID-19 puts brakes on further exploration of Franklin wrecks in the Arctic.

The latest for Aug. 14:

• B.C. has identified 247 cases of COVID-19 in the past three days – more than in any other three-day period since cases started appearing in late January.

• The Fort St. John Public Library will be open to the public for browsing starting Aug. 18.

• There are two Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,447 workers reported at camp.

• The Canada-US border will remain closed to non-essential traffic for another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• While some people can develop severe illness from COVID-19, others may have impacts lasting weeks or months – even if they were never hospitalized, and had a “relatively mild illness,” says Dr. Bonnie Henry.

• Health officials are warning of possible COVID-19 exposure on four more flights through Vancouver.

The latest for Aug. 13:

• Vertical Slam events raised $22,000 for School District 60's Hot Meals Program and patients at the local chemotherapy unit — not bad for an event during the time of social distancing.

• Elections B.C. has been scouring for office space in case a provincial election is called during the pandemic.

• Why anyone who deferred mortgage payments should check their credit score.

• More than a third of British Columbians say they would like the government to impose tighter restrictions to dampen the transmission of COVID-19.

• More than 12 million eggs will be redistributed via an emergency federal program designed to help farmers faced with too much food and nowhere to sell it due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• What if you and the ex disagree about sending the kids back to school?

The latest for Aug. 12

• B.C. students will go back to class starting Sept. 10. 

• The province says it will hire 500 people to conduct contact tracing around the province.

• There have been 11 new coronavirus cases reported so far this week in northern B.C.

• Northern B.C. lost 12,000 jobs to the pandemic between February and May.

• Temporary public washrooms outside the North Peace Cultural Centre will remain in place for the next six weeks. 

• There are two Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,498 workers reported at camp.

• The federal government has announced an additional $305 million to help First Nations communities combat COVID-19.

• UNDRIP a top priority, the federal government says, but it won't rule out delay due to COVID-19.

• The federal government is rolling out $18 million in support for projects they say will help strengthen Canada's food supply chain.

The latest for Aug. 11:

• B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming says students won't be back in classrooms on the originally planned date of Sept. 8.

• As the school restart draws nearer, Dr. Bonnie Henry is asking parents to have faith in what the new system will look like. 

• Government data shows 472 people battling COVID-19 infections in B.C. – more people than at any time since May 11. 

• There are two Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,476 workers reported at camp.

• It took six months for the world to reach 10 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus. It took just over six weeks for that number to double.

The latest for Aug. 10:

• One week after the B.C. Day long weekend, new cases of COVID-19 have predictably spiked up recently, but there have been no new deaths from COVID-19 for a week and a half.

• A B.C. student has kicked off a petition to make masks mandatory before the start of the school year next month.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,487 workers reported at camp.

• The federal government has temporarily set a minimum unemployment rate of 13.1 per cent to calculate employment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• A quiet choice this spring to have the Crown corporation responsible for helping Canadians obtain affordable housing run a commercial rent-relief program during the COVID-19 pandemic has become the latest front in a war between the Liberal government and opposition.

• The NHL says it has had no positive COVID-19 test results in its first two weeks in secure zones in Edmonton and Toronto.

The latest for Aug. 7:

• There have been no new cases of the coronavirus reported in northeast B.C. over the last three weeks.

• Employment in northeast B.C. rebounded by 1,800 jobs in July s businesses continue their economic restart amid the coronavirus pandemic.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,536 workers reported at camp.

• More than 50 hand sanitizers are being recalled by Health Canada.

• Discussions continue between the CFL and federal government on a $30-million, interest-free loan that, if granted, would allow the league to stage an abbreviated 2020 season.

The latest for Aug. 6:

• Tracy Paquette will never forget her 48th birthday. It was April 22 and the same day she woke from a nearly three week coma while her body was fighting a pneumonia caused by the coronavirus disease COVID-19.

• The Site C workforce grew by more than 1,000 in June, as construction ramped up after a two-month shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,478 workers reported at camp.

• As of Aug. 12, masks will be mandatory for customers of all Walmart locations across Canada.

• BC Transit passengers will be mandated to wear masks as of Aug. 24.

• Children will return to school in September but the provincial government is watching how COVID-19 evolves and could change course if needed, Premier John Horgan says.

• The District of Hudson’s Hope is taking heat after an online petition surfaced over the long weekend calling for residents to have priority access to the local pool.

• Shuttered casinos means no gaming revenue for the City of Fort St. John in the first quarter of 2020. The province ordered all casinos and gaming centres closed on March 16 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The latest for Aug. 5:

• ConocoPhillips has made the latest major contribution to the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation and its COVID-19 Greatest Need Campaign.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,506 workers reported at camp.

• When it comes to the 2020-21 Fort St. John Elks Speed Skating Club season, some things will seem very familiar and some will be very different.

• Jake Gardner was off to a great start in the 2020 PBR Canada season when everything was put on pause in March. The Dawson Creek cowboy competed in the Monster Energy Tour PBR event in Lethbridge July 23, finishing fifth out of 25 riders.

• Nobody would blame Aiden Craig-Steele for not taking the next step forward in his golf career this year, but the pandemic and strange golf season hasn't affected his game one bit.

• The federal government will spend more than $3.3 billion to retrofit schools, hospitals and long-term care facilities to better limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, as well as build more bike lanes and walking paths for people to get outside.

• Three screening officers at Vancouver International Airport have tested positive for COVID-19.

• Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry remains confident about children returning to school this fall, despite an online protest petition that has garnered more than 19,000 signatures.

• A new study suggests Canadians will face a potentially explosive increase in mental illness for years after the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over.

The latest for Aug. 4:

• Eighty-two B.C. doctors have signed a document urging the provincial government to mandate the wearing of face masks on transit, in crowds and for all indoor spaces outside of people’s homes.

• The federal government says it is rolling out stricter conditions for Americans entering Canada and heading to Alaska. While Americans are a concern for towns along the Alaska Highway, Fort Nelson Mayor Gary Foster says incidents remain low in his gateway community.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,471 workers reported at camp.

• Dr. Theresa Tam says that vaccines in development for COVID-19 provide hope but will not mean an immediate end to the pandemic. She says the Public Health Agency of Canada is planning to be responding to the pandemic for at least a year and more likely two or three.

• The federal Liberals have given companies more than $5.8 billion in pandemic-related contracts for personal protective gear and medical supplies. But many details of the companies involved and the amounts of their contracts are being kept from public view.

• The federal government's COVID-19 contact tracing app is facing criticism for its download requirements, which restrict some Canadians from accessing and using the app.

• Newly released figures show the two biggest federal political parties are seeing a drop in donations this year.

The latest for July 31: 

• The B.C. government has appointed a new special advisor to provide “fresh eyes” on Site C after BC Hydro expressed serious concerns with the dam project’s schedule, budget, and geotechnical challenges. Company president Chris O'Riley blamed delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and said construction crews are also experiencing “geological challenges" at the site.

• Dawson Creek Hospital's 'no visitors' rule has daughter worried: "It makes no sense at all. I’ve been told I can’t see my own mother, but her roommate who is in the hospital room, comes down in her own wheelchair, and I chat with all the time."

• The BC Teachers' Federation is calling for a delay in the start of the new school year to address its concerns with the government’s plan for a full-time return for students.

• Ottawa is developing plans to transition CERB recipients to Employment Insurance, but further details aren’t expected for at least a few more weeks.

• Financial columnist Brad Brain, on the importance of perspective: "Given all this – the wars, the politics, the economic hard times, even the pandemics – as I write this the Dow Jones Industrial Average is sitting at 26,652. Recall that it was at 8235 in September 2001."

The latest for July 30:

• The B.C. government is restricting travel to Haida Gwaii due to its ongoing community outbreak of COVID-19.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,399 workers reported at camp.

• Pandemic concerns about people entering Canada from the U.S. purportedly heading for Alaska have led Ottawa to place new restrictions on such non-discretionary travel.

• Increasing numbers of travellers are entering Canada from the country with the world’s worst COVID-19 infection rate – the United States.

• The Tahltan Nation has issued a notice that the public should avoid its territory until the there's a vaccine or community immunity for COVID-19.

• The North Peace Gymnastics Association opened its doors to athletes on Wednesday for the first time in more than four months.

• AltaGas managed to do something in its second quarter that is somewhat unique these days in the Canadian oil and gas sector — produce a solid profit and even provide an optimistic outlook despite the headwinds created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he initially pushed back when he learned the public service had chosen WE Charity to run the Canada Student Service Grant, knowing his family's connections with the organization would lead to significant scrutiny.

The latest for July 29:

• A Site C worker who tested positive for COVID-19 has been cleared to leave self-isolation and has returned home. 

• B.C.’s education minister says “most students” will be returning to the classroom in September. The province is earmarking $45.6 million in additional funding to enhance cleaning regimes and hire more cleaning staff.

• The pavilion at Peace Island Park has been given the green light to reopen in August.

• Six more cases have been linked to the ongoing outbreak on Haida Gwaii.

• The province has released guidelines on how local governments can safely hold by-elections and other votes put off due to pandemic restrictions.

• A top American health expert is praising Canada for not succumbing to "vaccine nationalism" because of its efforts to push for fair global distribution of a cure for the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Provincial and territorial governments, including B.C., have increased their orders for the influenza vaccine this year in preparation for a second surge of COVID-19 and a simultaneous outbreak of seasonal flu.

The latest for July 28:

• One additional case of COVID-19 has been linked to the outbreak on Haida Gwaii.

• There are 6 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,407 workers reported at camp.

• The City of Fort St. John says it is working to reopen recreation facilities as soon as possible, with operating guidelines expected to be released to user groups and the public in the coming weeks.

• The District of Taylor is planning to reopen the Taylor Arena in mid-to-late-September.

• The province is granting $1.5 million in funding for community sports clubs.

• While the big energy story of 2022 will likely be the completion of the $12.6-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, B.C.’s economy will also be benefitting from the construction of three other energy megaprojects – the $17-billion LNG Canada plant in Kitimat, the associated $6.6-billion Coastal GasLink pipeline, and the $10.7-billion Site C dam.

• A new report predicts Canadian oilsands production will have its biggest annual decline on record this year, dropping by an average of nearly 175,000 barrels per day due to issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. But research firm IHS Markit says the step back in 2020 isn't expected to greatly affect the rest of its 10-year forecast.

• Active discussions are taking place to potentially pre-order COVID-19 vaccine doses for Canadians, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Tuesday.

The latest for July 27:

• There are 6 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,354 workers reported at camp.

• Given the importance of oil exports to Canada’s economy, the pace of its pandemic recovery may be tied to a single project: the $12.6-billion expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

• While immigration has been a Canadian advantage long before the pandemic hit, it is more important than ever in Canada’s economic recovery during COVID-19, according to the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration.

• An Alberta senator is urging Ottawa to fund a Canadian company so it can develop a domestic COVID-19 vaccine to lessen the risk Canadians will have wait in a line on a foreign-made pandemic cure.

• The law extending the federal government's emergency wage subsidy for employers hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown made it through the Senate Monday.

• Legislature columnist Les Leyne, on contact tracing tougher during COVID-19 surge: 697 staff are available for the work. There are 264 actively engaged now, with the rest on standby while doing other duties.

• Premier John Horgan says drivers who have out-of-province licence plates on their vehicles should consider taking public transit or riding a bicycle if they're feeling harassed by people.

• The federal government appears to have relaxed restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border that would have made it impossible for first-year university students from the United States to enter the country.

• The NHL is reporting that no player tested positive for COVID-19 over the final week of training camps. The league says 4,256 tests were administered to more than 800 players during the seven-day period from July 18-25.

The latest for July 24:

• Northern Health has launched a new COVID-19 website to alert the public to possible public exposures and outbreaks of the novel coronavirus.

• Northern Health is warning about an outbreak on Haida Gwaii.

• There have been just 16 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in northeast B.C. since the coronavirus pandemic began in March, and just one case reported in the last two weeks.

• There are 10 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,394 workers reported at camp.

• New AirBnB virus order to be introduced restricting guests and visitors at rentals, including houses, rooms boats and houseboats.

• At least 1.5 million Canadians have moved back in with their parents, according to a national survey by Finder.com.

• Retail sales fell by 17.9%, while online sales surged 99.3% between February and May.

• The federal government is being pressed to approve funding for a made-in-Canada COVID-19 vaccine to lessen the risk Canadians will have to line up and wait on a foreign-made pandemic cure.

• Canada's budget watchdog says the federal government lost at least $439 million so far this year in productivity through a policy that allows civil servants to stay home, with pay, during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should resign over his role in the controversy involving the We organization.

• Major corporate sponsors are starting to distance themselves from WE Charity amid an ongoing controversy over a deal to run a student volunteer program.

The latest for July 23:

• Eight new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the Northern Health region on Thursday – the highest single-day increase since the start of the pandemic.

• There are 10 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,373 workers reported at camp.

• Premier John Horgan isn't ruling out a fall election despite the pandemic.

• Health Canada has issued a recall for more than 40 brands of hand sanitizer saying they contain industrial-grade ethanol that makes them hazardous if consumed.

• The vast majority of B.C. seniors' homes now have approved plans to accept visitors, Health Minister Adrian Dix says.

• Three new business liaisons will soon be settling into their roles across northeast B.C. They'll work with businesses over the next 12 months, and help connect them to resources and supports to deal with the economic effects of the pandemic.

• Students in B.C. won’t be required to wear a face mask when school resumes in the fall, Dr. Bonnie Henry says.

• Premier John Horgan says parents should prepare for a full return to classrooms this fall but also have a backup plan in case the pandemic forces further closures.

• Preparations are underway for the 2020-21 High School Rodeo season. The North Region season will begin with two rodeos in Hudson's Hope Aug. 22 and 23, pending approval from the National High School Rodeo Association.

• A Canadian smartphone app meant to warn users if they've been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 is now in beta testing.

•  The CEO of Suncor Energy Inc. says the company won't quickly ramp up oil production despite recent higher crude prices as the North American economy begins to reopen.

The latest for July 22:

• There are 13 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,411 workers reported at camp.

• About 1,000 people are in self-isolation after being in close contact with those who tested positive in the outbreak in Kelowna.

• The province says it is matching $1 billion in federal government money to address the impacts of COVID-19 and help restart the economy.

• While the average number of new COVID-19 infections in B.C. has risen to be in the 30s, the good news is that the province has not announced a death from that virus since July 13 – nine days ago – and the death toll in B.C. has stayed at 189.

• A long-term care home in North Vancouver that was the site of Canada's first confirmed COVID-19 death says it received a hoax call as the outbreak began that created "needless fear" and compromised health and safety.

• With an uptick in new cases of COVID-19 in Canada sparking concerns about a second wave of the illness, advocates for seniors in long-term care say more federal support must start flowing immediately to ensure elders do not again become the primary casualties.

• Special report: Systemic failures in B.C. seniors' care left facilities unprepared for pandemic

• Special report: Protecting seniors’ homes from the pandemic's next wave

• Special report: ‘Financialization’ of seniors’ care has failed B.C. families, critics say

• Inflatable pools are driving a deluge of toy sales during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers try to enhance at-home leisure for their children, their pets and their feet.

• There's no doubt the 2020-21 North West Junior Hockey League season will be a strange one, if there's a season at all. The Fort St. John Huskies' motto is to control what it can control and put in the work all the same.

• Canadian exports of crude oil by rail plunged by 63 per cent in May compared with April as North American fuel demand dropped due to measures taken to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

• A group of finance and policy experts says Ottawa needs to invest heavily in green infrastructure projects, including energy-efficient buildings, to secure an economic recovery with staying power.

The latest for July 21:

• There are 12 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,383 workers reported at camp.

• About 52% of patients whose surgeries were postponed as a result of COVID-19 have had their surgeries completed since those surgeries resumed on May 18.

• Coming off a spike in weekend COVID-19 caseloads in B.C., a new survey has found that a majority of Canadians are confident an impending second wave will trigger their own community to lock down again.

• B.C.'s volume of new daily COVID cases remains elevated compared with much of the past month.

• The federal government is warning passengers aboard a flight out of Vancouver over possible exposure to COVID-19. Air Canada flight AC112 left Vancouver for Toronto on July 13.

• It's not every day that the government recommends the use of glory holes. But these are unprecedented times.

• The Inconnu Swim Club plans to dive into the upcoming 2020-21 season by the end of September. The North Peace Leisure Pool remains closed, but the city hopes to have it opened by Sept. 14.

• City of Dawson Creek will open the Memorial arena on Sept. 8, and the Kenn Borek pool Sept. 12.

• After months of not being able to gather, 30 local seniors gathered Monday for a friendly golf tournament at Lake Point.

• MP Bob Zimmer, on the WE Charity scandal: "Since the Liberal government announced that it would be outsourcing a new $900-million Canada Student Service Grant program to WE Charity, an organization with well-documented ties to the Prime Minister and his family, many justifiable questions and concerns have been raised."

• B.C.'s tourism and hospitality sector believes it should receive more than one-third of a $1.5-billion COVID-19 recovery package pledged to the province by the federal government.

The latest for July 20:

• Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are no new COVID-19 cases at Site C, and there are now 15 Site C workers who are self-isolating at the work camp outside Fort St. John. 

• B.C. has seen a worrisome uptick in new COVID-19 cases in recent days, prompting provincial health officer Bonnie Henry to warn that “we do risk a rebound.” B.C. had 51 cases confirmed in a single day, between Friday and Saturday, and 102 between Friday and today.

• A coalition of business groups is calling for "urgent action" from all levels of government to save the food service industry amid the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• A Bank of Canada economist says the current economic recovery could be different than the recovery from the financial crisis of 2008.

•  Canadian consumers are more upbeat about their personal debt than they have been for three years, despite the recession brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, a poll has found.

The latest for July 17:

• BC Hydro has confirmed a positive COVID-19 case at the Site C work camp.

• There are currently 1,446 workers at the camp, and five in self-isolation.

• Premier John Horgan says he's proud that a national sick leave program has been announced as part of $19 billion in federal funding.

• A new serology survey shows less than 1% of the population was infected with COVID-19 in the first wave of the pandemic.

• Wligibility rules are being eased for the government's emergency wage subsidy and changing the amounts businesses can receive. Rules will be changed so amounts paid out will be proportional to revenue declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Statistics Canada is working on plans to deliver a "contactless census" next May if COVID-19 remains a threat.

The latest for July 16:

• B.C. health officials are not alarmed by an academic study released July 13 that found the province has around eight times more COVID-19 infections than have been reported.

• A leading medical health officer says the airborne transmission of COVID-19 doesn’t appear to be a major factor in the spread of the virus in outbreaks across B.C. 

• B.C.’s hands appear to be tied when it comes to the emerging issue of air travel safety in the face of COVID-19 after premier John Horgan said the province cannot force airlines to change how they conduct business.

• Burnaby man called youngest critically ill COVID-19 patient.

• The Fort St. John Senior Flyers hockey club is optimistic about its return and the pending hockey season.

• There was one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,414 workers reported at camp.

• The federal youth minister says she was not directed by the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office to make an agreement with WE Charity to run a federal volunteering program, a deal that has since been aborted and mired in ethical questions.

The latest for July 15:

• Peace Gallery North reopened to the public Wednesday, with a new exhibit on display, Pamela Kane's The Past is Present.

• Canadian small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic will incur an estimated $117 billion in debt that could take more than a year to pay off, according to a new study.

• Legislature columnist Les Leyne: Pandemic will create B.C. debt for decades.

• There were no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,441 workers reported at camp.

• B.C.’s attorney general says he’s doing everything he can to get criminal jury trials up and running during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Non-profit groups that wanted to use the Canada Student Service Grant to hire volunteers say they have not heard a peep from the federal government since WE Charity walked away from running the $912-million program almost two weeks ago.

• Money columnist Brad Brain, on the Number One secret to financial success: "Living within your means might mean you need to adjust your expectations."

The latest for July 14:

• The B.C. government is expecting $6.3 billion less revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an operating deficit of $12.5 billion for the 2020 budget.

• Scheduled visits began this week at the Peace Villa and Rotary Manor care homes in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek.

• Results from the pandemic-friendly Oilmen's Trapshoot: Dave Wallace won the high overall for the event, hitting 97 of 100 targets. Rapid Wireline won the team event, hitting 461 of 500 clays.

• MLA Dan Davies, on the back to school plan due July 29: "B.C. parents — myself included — are very much looking forward to seeing what this plan will look like, hoping that it will offer the flexibility and guidelines that teachers will need to prepare learning plans and for families to safely send their kids back to school."

• The province is fast-tracking legislation to handle situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic so workers can access benefits more easily.

• How will employers and employees need to embrace the new conditions of the workplace? Click here for HR in the time of COVID-19, a podcast conversation with Jennifer Lee of Deloitte.

• Canada and the United States are now widely expected to extend their mutual ban on non-essential cross-border travel.

• Canadian trials have just begun for a prospective COVID-19 vaccine but its Quebec-based manufacturer is already tempering expectations.

• A new poll suggests Canadians are torn on whether the federal government should tighten the taps on COVID-19 spending to keep the deficit from flooding the nation's future.

• A survey by Statistics Canada suggests that almost one in five businesses will look to further staffing cuts, bankruptcy or closing their doors if present COVID-19 conditions last for six months or more.

The latest for July 13:

• New daily cases of COVID-19 in B.C. have been ticking up in recent days, and there have been a number of potential community exposure events.

• Several COVID-19 exposures in Kelowna at a restaurant, spin studio, bed and breakfast and resort are believed to stem from "private parties" at hotels.

• Indigenous bands along the west coast say their borders will remain closed to tourists and non-residents, despite the economic impact, as they work to raise awareness about the threat COVID-19 poses to their communities.

• WestJet plans to resume direct flights between Fort St. John and Vancouver starting Aug. 3.

• Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman has joined a new, independent task force developing policy recommendations to support Canada's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• There were no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,332 workers reported at camp.

• The first golf tournament of the year in the Peace region — fittingly named the Peace Country Open — has come and gone, with Travis Eggers winning the championship once again.

• B.C. restaurants and bars will be able to continue to sell liquor to-go until October 31.

• Ottawa will extend its wage subsidy program until the end of the year.

• Medical researchers and supercomputers are turning genetics labs into virus detective agencies, looking first to find the novel coronavirus itself within blood samples from thousands of infected patients, and then comparing all of those isolated viruses to each other looking for places they differ.

• The NHL says 30 players tested positive for COVID-19 in testing during Phase 2 of the league's return-to-play plan, with another 13 testing positive outside of the league's protocol.

The latest for July 9:

• It's now 30 days and counting — that's how long the region covered by Northern Health has remained free of the novel coronavirus.

• The amount of outstanding taxes owed in Fort St. John this year more than doubled to $17 million.

• Central Mountain Air has resumed commercial flights in Fort St. John. Service relaunched July 7, and will resume in Fort Nelson Sept. 14.

• There were no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,372 workers reported at camp.

• B.C.'s gradual restart is gaining ground as some industries resume operations and more people leave their homes to participate in the economy, Premier John Horgan said Thursday.

• Via Rail is temporarily laying off about 1,000 unionized employees as the company copes with interrupted routes and reduced travel demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Canada is ill-prepared for a second wave of COVID-19, says a Senate committee, calling on the federal Liberals to deliver a plan by Labour Day to help people and communities hit hardest by the pandemic.

• The federal government says it is working on what to do with the Canada Student Services Grant program after its agreement with WE was cancelled last week amid controversy over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's connections to the Toronto-based charity.

•  A new poll shows young Canadians and those who are Black, Indigenous or people of colour face the hardest hit to their finances from COVID-19.

• As governments roll out plans to reopen the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say individual Canadians need to update their own financial plan to move forward too.

The latest for July 8:

• The Trudeau Liberals say they expect nearly two million Canadians to remain without jobs this year as the COVID-19 pandemic drags down the domestic economy and federal aid sends the deficit to a historic $343.2 billion.

• B.C. has about one COVID-19 case for every 1,735 residents. Compare that to Washington State, where there's about one case for every 198 people.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,381 workers reported at camp.

• 334 B.C. businesses have so far been slapped with COVID-19 health and safety orders.

• The federal website advertising volunteer positions for students hoping to earn COVID-19 government aid for their educations contains hundreds of positions that do not actually exist.

• Financial columnist Brad Brain, on interest rates and homeowners: "COVID-19 has had such an impact on us, but it has also created some opportunities. In all the attention that is given to COVID-19, do not overlook the obvious opportunity. Lower interest rates may mean that you can reduce your mortgage costs."

• B.C.’s courts are continuing a measured return to pre-COVID-19 operations although officials continue to ask that people stay away from courthouses unless necessary.

The latest for July 7:

• Fort St. John saw real estate sales drop 27% in the first half of 2020 due to the economic shocks of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Site C workforce grew by 229 in May, but remained subdued by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,343 workers reported at camp.

• Oilsands companies are restoring thousands of barrels of daily production to take advantage of higher oil prices as relaxed pandemic measures allow North American consumers to get back on the road.

• Providing almost all Canadians with a basic income for six months beginning this fall could cost about $98 billion, the parliamentary budget officer says.

• 72% of Canadians say they're not comfortable flying since a decision by some airlines to relax their own in-flight physical distancing requirements.

The latest for July 6:

• Six British Columbians, all elderly, have died from COVID-19 since Friday.

• Charity golf tournaments are almost certainly cancelled for the year, but there is still hope that some competitive ones will go ahead.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,310 workers reported at camp.

• Oil analysts say a rebound in the world's hunger for oil has already started after demand destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic fell far short of what many experts had expected.

• 70% of Canadians are happy with how Ottawa has dealt with the COVID-19 outbreak, practically unchanged since May (69%).

• Opposition parties have laid out their demands for the federal Liberal government as Ottawa prepares to update Canadians on the country's finances after four months of COVID-19 — and where it expects the economy to head for the rest of the year.

• The national immunity task force has started testing thousands of blood samples for COVID-19 antibodies and should be able to produce a more detailed picture of how many Canadians have been infected with the novel coronavirus within a couple of weeks.

The latest for July 3:

• Passengers who arrived on four recent flights into Vancouver International Airport are being warned of possible COVID-19 exposure.

• The Fort St. John RCMP says its front counter will reopen to the public July 6 at 8 a.m.

• A handful of Peace region non profits will be getting a cash injection from the Northeast Regional Community Foundation.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,339 workers reported at camp.

• Canada has failed in its duty to protect vulnerable elders in long-term care, according to a highly critical report that examines the issue in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

The latest for July 2:

• Northern B.C.'s winning streak against the COVID-19 virus entered its 24th day on Thursday as once again no new cases were reported for the region.

• Premier John Horgan says Americans travelling through British Columbia on their way to Alaska or returning home should not stop in the province while COVID-19 cases continue rising in the United States.

• Nunavut is reporting what may be its first case of COVID-19.

• The federal government has extended the mandatory quarantine order for most people entering Canada until the end of August to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

• Federal and provincial governments have agreed to extend a commercial rent-relief program to help cover July costs for eligible small businesses.

The latest for June 30:

• Residents in long-term care and assisted living facilities will now be allowed one designated visitor to come to the home and visit in a designated visiting space.

• Alberta is allowing up to 200 people to gather outside — this applies to festivals, fireworks displays, rodeos and sporting events, and other outdoor performances.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,322 workers reported at camp.

• Going into Canada Day, there have been a total of 8,130 COVID-19 tests conducted in Northern Health – or less than 3% of the population.

• On Wednesday, residents of Yukon, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut can enter the Yukon without having to self-isolate, provided they can confirm they have not travelled elsewhere in the past 14 days.

• The federal government has extended tight rules barring most foreign travellers from entering Canada until the end of July.

The latest for June 29:

• Health Minister Adrian Dix says he wants to see the evidence that it's safe for the country's two largest airlines to drop their in-flight distancing policies during the pandemic.

• More than 300 bags were put on brief display in Fort St. John Saturday night to honour loved ones lost to cancer. The annual Arnie Isberg softball tournament was cancelled this year due to COVID-19, but the popular luminary ceremony that closes the event saw more bags than normal.

• There have been no new deaths from COVID-19 since Friday, and though daily case counts remain low, Dr Bonnie Henry warned that anyone who was at a Vancouver strip club in recent days may have been infected.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 1,281 workers reported at camp.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says an ongoing review of the federal response to COVID-19 will feed into plans for responding to a potential second wave of the novel coronavirus.

• Figures released Monday by the Public Health Agency of Canada showed Quebec and Ontario still remain the most heavily affected regions of the country. Multiple distinct peaks in the curve for Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick should also serve as reminders that a resurgence of COVID-19 can happen in any place at any time, even in areas with low levels of community transmission.

The latest for June 26:

• The Northern Lights College Class of 2020 donned their gowns for the school's first-ever virtual convocation on Friday.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,385 workers reported at camp.

• The Vancouver Canucks say the team is officially out of the running to act as a hub city as the NHL considers where to hold its playoffs.

• About 224,000 businesses have applied and received payroll help through the the federal wage subsidy program for a total of more than $13 billion as of June 15.

The latest for June 25:

• A teacher from the Fraser Health region was among the 20 new cases Thursday.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,361 workers reported at camp.

• The province has extended the temporary layoff provision to a maximum of 24 weeks ending on Aug. 30.

• The federal government is earmarking $40 million to create 5,000 Mitacs internships for students left with fewer job opportunities amid the pandemic.

The latest for June 24:

• B.C. will begin a slow move into Phase 3 of the COVID-19 restart plan. This includes allowing non-essential travel within the province as well as reopening hotels, the film and television industry and some entertainment venues like movie theatres.

• Fort St. John businesses can apply for a $500 city grant for re-opening expenses amid the coronavirus pandemic starting Thursday.

• Fort St. John slow pitch season planned for seven weeks starting in July. 

• Yukon's government says residents of B.C. and Yukon will be allowed to travel back and forth without the need to self-isolate for 14 days.

• Fitch Ratings dropped Canada to a "AA+" credit rating over what it called "the deterioration of Canada's public finances" due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest for June 23:

• B.C. is approaching the threshold for renewed growth in COVID-19 cases as the economy reopens and residents increase their contacts with fellow British Columbians.

• Hudson's Hope says it plans to open its outdoor pool with restrictions on Monday, July 6.

• MLA Dan Davies, on delayed economic recovery spending: "Why are British Columbians only now getting a forum to discuss how they would like to see their taxes support them? We are not dealing with a small stimulus package here, we are talking about a billion-dollar relief fund."

• B.C. business groups are asking the province to extend the temporary layoff time period until August 31, to prevent COVID-19-affected companies from closing permanently should paying severance to employees exceed their fiscal capacity.

• A physically distanced B.C. legislature opened Monday to the announcement that the BC NDP government will seek to extend emergency orders for up to a year.

The latest for June 22:

• There are three Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,347 workers reported at camp.

• The city says the Rotary Spray Park and all other city playgrounds are now open to the public.

• Here are your 2020 northern BC high school rodeo champions.

• Across the country, 46% of Canadians who live with their spouse or partner claim the COVID-19 pandemic made them grow closer to their significant other. A similar proportion (47%) report no change.

• The province extending the opportunity for companies to defer electricity bill payments for another three months to assist mining, forestry and other industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Dr. Bonnie Henry has warned businesses against independent testing of asymptomatic employees for the COVID-19 virus.

• B.C. fared better than much of Canada in protecting civil liberties while handling the COVID-19 pandemic, says a Canadian Civil Liberties Association report card.

The latest for June 19:

• North Peace Secondary’s Class of 2020 made history Friday, celebrating a graduation unlike any other. Hundreds tuned in to a virtual ceremony celebrating some 300 graduates, as traditional ceremonies that fill the rafters of the North Peace Arena were cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

• B.C is handing COVID-19 border screening work over to Ottawa effective June 20.

• B.C. is extending the temporary rental supplement until the end of August to continue to support renters and landlords as well as maintaining the moratorium on rent increases and evictions for non-payment of rent.

• Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is scaling back the government's planned Clean Fuel Standard in the short term to give the fossil fuel industry a bit more time to recover from the pandemic-induced economic collapse.

• Canadian exports of crude oil by rail dropped by more than half in April compared to March as North American fuel demand plunged due to measures taken to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest for June 18:

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,279 workers reported at camp.

• There were no active cases of COVID-19 in Northern Health as of Thursday, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

• Indoor recreation facilities in Fort St. John will remain closed to the public until September, though some outdoor programming is expected to resume in July.

• After months of anticipation, the Fort St. John Mixed Slow Pitch Society said Thursday they will be able to hold a 2020 season as of July 6.

• Months after B.C.'s provincial health officer Bonnie Henry ordered all workers at seniors' care homes and other healthcare sites work solely at one location, the order is finally being fully adhered to, according to Health Minister Adrian Dix.

• Canada is prepared to launch a contact-tracing app to better track the spread of COVID-19.

The latest for June 17:

• More COVID-19 restrictions could ease next week, John Horgan says.

• The province plans to spend an additional six weeks consulting the public on how to spend $1.5 billion that has been set aside to help with "stimulus and recovery" from the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier John Horgan says.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promises an economic and fiscal ‘snapshot’ by July 8. He says a full economic update — one that would include forecasts of what will happen in the next three to five years — at this time would be unrealistic.

• Northern Health board chair Colleen Nyce, on surgery renewal for northerners: "Between May 18 and June 14th, we called 2,639 patients to ask if they wished to continue with their surgery and we completed 1,083 scheduled and unscheduled surgeries."

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,267 workers reported at camp.

• The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says if bridge loans for smaller oil and gas companies aren't ready to flow soon some companies will have to turn to less-safe options to survive the COVID-19 slowdown.

The latest for June 16:

• B.C.'s COVID-19 restrictions are under further review this week, but the limit on gatherings to a maximum of 50 people will not change.

• The federal government is extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit another eight weeks. The extension means the $2,000 monthly payments are now set to conclude after the last full week of August.

• The province says it will cut retail liquor markups to help the hospitality sector recover from lockdown. Restaurants, bars and pubs currently pay for liquor purchases at full retail price, which is the wholesale price, plus a retail markup set by the ministry's liquor distribution branch.

The latest for June 15:

• Air Canada has resumed its operations in Fort St. John one week earlier than planned.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,135 workers reported at camp.

• The province has ended two-and-a-half months of open burning restrictions in northeast B.C.

• The Taylor Speedway held its first-ever races with no fans last weekend, and it went as well as it possibly could have.

• The federal government will extend the $2,000 monthly CERB benefit beyond its original 16-week lifespan.

• Changing our habits is usually difficult. The first days of the lockdown may have motivated Canadians to act differently, but new traits are hard to stick by. By mid-April, some confided about overeating (29%) and drinking too much alcohol (13%) during the pandemic.

• B.C. Opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson says fighting the pandemic produced a unified health front among traditional adversaries, but with the province facing its darkest economic crisis in decades, political battle lines must go beyond working together to flatten the COVID-19 curve.

• Provincial court trials will resume July 6 with numerous changes not only for health and safety reasons amid COVID-19, but to accelerate the court process.

The latest for June 12:

• Canada will require air passengers to undergo mandatory temperature checks in order to get on their flights.

• The province is allowing restaurants to serve at more than 50% capacity.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,209 workers reported at camp.

• The latest report on electricity usage in British Columbia reveals the COVID-19 pandemic has created an atmosphere where every day feels like a Saturday.

• The inmate count at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre rises but remains below pre-pandemic levels.

• B.C. has recorded its first COVID death in a week, in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

The latest for June 11:

• MLAs Dan Davies and Mike Bernier will be among those returning to Victoria June 22 when the legislature resumes after a months-long suspension due to COVID-19.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,218 workers reported at camp.

• Agriculture, local governments are top bailout priorities in B.C., poll says.

The latest for June 10:

• There have been no deaths from COVID-19 in the last few days, but two clusters have been identified as the result of "large" family connections.

• The NPSS Class of 2020 graduation ceremony won't be normal, though it will certainly be memorable. A parade is planned for June 19.

• The North Peace Fall Fair has been cancelled for this year, though organizers hope to host some kind of event to celebrate the region’s farming roots.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,212 workers reported at camp.

• The Hudson’s Hope pool remains closed indefinitely, Mayor Dave Heiberg says.

• Money columnist Brad Brain, on financial recovery post-COVID: "Grab your current investment statements, your insurance polices, your group benefits booklet, your will, etc. and refamiliarize yourself with how things stand right now. It’s not unusual for people to have a fuzzy recollection of what they have on the go financially."

• The B.C. government will consider a proposal for restaurant owners to be able to buy alcohol at wholesale prices, much like private and government liquor store owners are able to do, B.C. Premier John Horgan said June 10.

• Landlords and tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are at loggerheads over evictions and unpaid rents as pandemic bans on evictions and rental increases continue.

The latest for June 9:

• Recent protests in Vancouver and Victoria against racism have numbered in the thousands, raising worry that B.C.'s success at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic could be put in jeopardy.

• The Fort St. John Salvation Army says its thrift store will reopen Friday, June 12.

• Pickleball has moved into the spotlight amid sports cancellations. The Taylor courts are open for use, and limited to groups of four.

• Taylor Speedway begins its 2020 season June 12 and 13. Unfortunately, spectators will not be allowed at this time. 

• The National High School Rodeo Finals will take place July 17 to 23 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The High School Rodeo of B.C. board is chosing its team.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,191 workers reported at camp.

• COVID-19 has caused a slowdown of the global economy but, despite that, cargo volumes moving through the Port of Prince Rupert are on a record pace.

• Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says everything from gyms and arenas to spas, movie theatres, libraries, pools and sports activities are being given a green light as of Friday.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau once again cautioned the federal government will be going after those who “knowingly and willfully” have made false claims for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

The latest for June 8:

• There have been no new deaths over the last three days, and only 29 new cases over a three-day period, with new cases being in the single digits over the last two days.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,161 workers reported at camp.

• The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation says its annual cancer fighting fundraiser Bluey Day has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12.

• The Peace Region Motorsports Association kicked off its 2020 season with a Taylor Autocross event on Sunday, June 7. It's one of the few sports organizations in the Peace to hold an event so far this summer. 

• The federal government will permit “limited exemptions” to immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit the country and reunite with loved ones.

• The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers now estimates that $23.3 billion in capital will be invested in Canada this year, down from about $37 billion in its January forecast.

The latest for June 5:

• Northeast B.C. lost 2,200 jobs in May through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, spiking the regional unemployment rate nearly four percentage points to 11.1%

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 1,028 workers reported at camp.

• British Columbia is making summer holiday plans as COVID-19 cases continue declining and businesses and communities look to wider reopenings while taking precautions to prevent the spread of the illness.

• Governments have been increasing funding for tourism organizations as the COVID-19 virus continues to pummel tourism-sector revenues in B.C. 

• A relaxation of B.C. privacy laws on sharing health data during the COVID-19 pandemic set to expire June 30 has been extended until year’s end.

• Ottawa is offering Canadian provinces and territories $14 billion to combat COVID-19 and the potential of a second wave, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

The latest for June 4:

• There have been just 14 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date in northeast B.C., and all cases throughout the north have now recovered. 

• Women in B.C. outnumber men in being infected, but their infections are less serious.

• The workforce on Site C dropped by nearly 2,000 in April due to the pandemic.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 887 workers reported at camp.

• The idea of a four-day work week is one Premier John Horgan says intrigues him.

The latest for June 3:

• The last COVID-19 patient in northern B.C. has been discharged from hospital.

• More than 1,000 students were in Fort St. John schools Tuesday as part of the province's part-time return to in-class instruction.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 879 workers reported at camp.

• The Fort St. John library will launch a new curbside lending program June 16.

• The District of Taylor says some of its outdoor rec areas and playgrounds have reopened effective immediately.

• Columnist Evan Saugstad, on community work programs and economic stimulus: "Whether we like it our not, our federal Opposition parties appear to have no ability to slow down Trudeau’s spending spree. So let's take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity where money and cost do not matter and let’s make Canada a better place today than it was yesterday."

• Two more outbreaks at B.C. seniors' homes have ended.

The latest for June 2:

• The province says 60,000 elementary, middle and secondary school students are participating in the province's gradual introduction of part-time, in-class instruction.

• The new school year starting in September is likely to be a hybrid model combining classroom and online learning, says Education Minister Rob Fleming.

• The District of Taylor is aiming to reopen Peace Island Park by Friday, June 5.

• The virtual Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenge got underway June 1. Kehlan Huhn was the first participant to complete the challenge. He wore a 45-pound weighted vest for eight hours during his work day, covering 10.7km of ground.

• There is only one confirmed, active case of COVID-19 in northern B.C. this week.

• The hours for Northern Health's COVID-19 Online Clinic and Information Line are about to be reduced.

• The BC Liberals are calling on the NDP government to consider a regional reopening plan, so parts of the province with lower coronavirus case counts like northern B.C. can get back to work sooner.

• MLA Dan Davies, on the return of the legislature: "With the B.C. Legislature returning to session later this month, this townhall was really important because it allowed us to listen to what British Columbians want to see from this government, such as deferring stumpage fees for our struggling forestry industry, promoting LNG projects, and addressing the impending labour shortage in our agriculture industry and our provinces lack of competitiveness."

• Canadians who tune in to watch proceedings in the House of Commons during the COVID-19 crisis may wonder why Conservative and Bloc Quebecois MPs continue to accuse the Liberal government of shutting down Parliament.

• The Trudeau Liberals are detailing to parliamentarians a plan that would shift tens of billions in pandemic-related aid, sending more toward a key COVID-19 emergency benefit for workers after seeing demand skyrocket from original estimates.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 811 workers reported at camp.

• The District of Taylor is set to receive a $7,000 response grant to combat the impacts of COVID-19.

• Families in Taylor may soon be able to enjoy a drive-in movie night.

The latest for June 1:

• The Peace River Regional District amended its grant writing services on May 28, opening it up to local businesses throughout the region affected by COVID-19. 

• Small businesses in B.C. that have suffered significant revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic will be protected from eviction effective June 1.

• British Columbia's lowest paid workers get a pay increase Monday with a scheduled minimum wage hike at a crucial time for small businesses as they look for ways to continue operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Ottawa is offering $2.2 billion to cities as they face what the prime minister describes as a “cash crunch” during the pandemic. The money was, in fact, already earmarked as federal support for cities via the gas tax fund.

• Ottawa’s reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the perception of residents on the federal government. We could assume that all premiers would be the beneficiaries of a similar bump in public affection, but not every area of the country is feeling the same way.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 730 workers reported at camp.

The latest for May 30:

• The province has banned overnight summer camp to mitigate potential outbreaks.

• Canadians have been denied information about COVID-19 and details about government responses to the pandemic, say a group of Canadian accountability experts.

• With B.C. likely to need as many as 412 million face masks in the next 12 months, researchers at UBC are now hard at work to find a local solution - and the answer may simply be the trees.

• The province announced no new deaths from COVID-19 for the second day in a row on Saturday. It’s the third time this week that there have been zero deaths from COVID-19 in B.C.

The latest for May 29:

• Twelve questions with School District 60 Superintendent Stephen Petrucci on the return to class June 1.

• The federal government is not committing to a bailout of the Canadian airlines sector - but is also not planning to require air carriers to refund ticket holders for the flights cancelled during the COVID pandemic as some consumers have requested.

• Farmers' markets will be allowed to sell non-food items again this weekend, after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry changed the public health orders for the markets in B.C.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 834 workers reported at camp.

• Columnists Charo Lloret and Kalpana Loganathan, on the return to school and playing within the lines: "I want students to learn to care for the world, to create a better world, not to fear their classmates or viruses. If the schools can’t accomplish that, maybe they should not open their doors at all."

The latest developments for May 28:

• 17 early COVID-19 detection ultrasound scanners are being distributed to Northern Health.

• Active COVID cases in B.C. have fallen 38% in the past two weeks.

• Representatives from Canada's oilpatch say they don't know of a single energy company that has yet benefited from any of Ottawa's COVID-19-inspired loan programs.

• There will be no Father's Day Fishing Derby and Kid's Learn To Fish weekend this year. The popular derby was cancelled Wednesday, as a result of restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 795 workers reported at camp.

• The District office in Hudson’s Hope will be reopening its doors to the public on Monday, June 1.

• Handling of pandemic boosts fortunes of Premier Horgan, BC NDP, poll says.

The latest developments for May 27:

• B.C. Premier John Horgan announced another two-week extension of a provincial state of emergency, with “no likely end in sight.”

• MP Bob Zimmer is calling parliament a “sham” after regular sittings of the House of Commons were suspended until September.

• Courtrooms in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek will reopen June 15 for priority matters that cannot otherwise be accommodated remotely.

• The Liard River Hot Springs will stay closed all summer and into the fall.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 789 workers reported at camp.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says conversation with the provinces “need to be had” following a second military report detailing disturbing conditions in long-term care facilities — but he would not commit to launching an inquiry into the matter. 

The latest developments for May 26:

• MLA Dan Davies has called on government to ensure classrooms have access to handwashing and hand sanitation stations, and to allocate funds so schools can buy PPE for teachers and staff.

• Blueberry River First Nation says it will be removing its security checkpoint and reopening backroad access to the reserve starting June 1.

• The province says it received more than 1,100 applications to clean up more than 2,400 dormant oil and gas wells in northeast B.C. on Monday.

• More than 11,500 northern B.C. residents have taken the province's COVID survey to date. The survey closes May 31 and can be completed online or by phone.

• Restaurants have been ordered to collect diners data for COVID tracing, however, the collection of that personal information is subject to provincial privacy laws.

• Hungry to dine out? Check out our list of Fort St. John restaurant reopenings.

• Via Rail service between Prince George, Jasper and Prince Rupert will resume on July 5.

• The annual Union of B.C. Municipalities conference for community leaders to discuss issues for government lobbying can be held electronically, according to a new ministerial order.

• MLA Dan Davies, on natural resources and the road to recovery: "These industries will play a crucial role in our economic recovery and to see these industries become competitive again, more is needed from this government to support what has been the backbone of this province’s economy for so long."

• Keeping a clean house amidst daily struggles: Stephanie Giesbrecht's Youtube channel "The Secret Slob" has amassed more than 57,000 subscribers. "With this whole COVID-19 thing, moms especially are pulled in so many different directions and it can be intimidating."

• The federal government is tapping General Motors Co. to produce 10 million face masks.

The latest developments for May 25:

• BC Hydro says it has completed the two Peace River diversion tunnels at Site C, and remains on schedule to divert the river in September. "This work was completed during a period of scaled back activity on the project due to the COVID-19 pandemic," the company said.

• Difficult day for local sports clubs: the 2020 outdoor soccer season is cancelled, as are the seasons for North Peace Minor Baseball and Fort St. John Lacrosse.

• B.C.'s economic restart is in motion, with barbershops and salons in Fort St. John reopening for fresh cuts this week. Here is a list of what's open now, and when others plan to reopen.

• City hall is open for business, but council chambers remain closed to the public.

• Though you won’t be able to dip into a bowl of Ukrainian dill pickle soup or try your hand at Chinese calligraphy, Fort St. John’s World Fair returns June 6 to give residents a virtual trip around the world.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will be looking to ensure workers can land 10 paid sick days a year.

The latest developments for May 22:

• Central Mountain Air will resume commercial flights to Fort St. John starting July 6.

• Ovintiv says it will be donating $150,000 to charities providing food relief. Charities include the Dawson Creek Society for Community Living, Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society, Nawican Friendship Centre, Network Ministries, The Pouce Coupe Food Bank, The Salvation Army, South Peace Seniors Access Society: Meals For You Program, and St. Marks Anglican Church, as well as to local Indigenous communities.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 781 workers reported at camp.

The latest developments for May 21:

• Businesses should expect random inspections as they prepare to re-open under the province's restart plan.

• Schools are considered back in session and Fort St. John RCMP says it will be enforcing school speed zones.

• Fort St. John restaurants are reopening dine-in service starting this week. Click here for a list of reopenings.

• Fort St. John city councillors will vote next week to spend nearly $10,000 from a corporate donation for COVID-19 on trees and gardening workshops.

• The museum says it will reopen on Monday, June 15, however, it will not be offering guided tours, programs, or events.

• The museum is also collecting local stories, photographs, and artefacts to document Fort St. John’s COVID-19 history.

• The 2019-20 High School Rodeo of B.C. season has come to an end, including the cancellation of the Seniors Provincial High School Finals scheduled June 12 to 14 in Fort St. John.

• This year's Charlie Lake cleanup will take place over two weeks June 1 to 14. The North Peace landfill will be providing free dumping during the cleanup period for Charlie Lake residents.

• There will be no Pride walk and festival in Fort St. John this year, but organizers say they are making alternative plans to celebrate.

• Drilling and well completion companies stand to suffer the most as producers will be reluctant to reverse cuts in spending and production linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on fuel demand.

• The federal government is pledging $75 million to organizations helping Indigenous people living in urban areas and off-reserve amidst the pandemic.

• Active COVID-19 cases in B.C. have fallen 20% in the past week. This metric is important in showing the extent of the virus in the province and the likelihood that new people will be infected — the fewer people there are who are alive and infectious, the less chance there is that uninfected people will come into contact with the virus.

• British Columbians can now have wills, powers of attorney and representation agreements witnessed remotely under new orders from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor.

• Canfor will close its Isle Pierre sawmill while cutting production at two of its pulp mills in Prince George. The company blamed the decisions on a lack of economically viable timber and the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest developments for May 20:

• Fort St. John businesses began the process of reopening this week after months of lockdown restrictions were lifted. It's day two of the province's economic reboot from the COVID-19 pandemic, following industry-specific WorkSafeBC guidelines for restaurants, cafes, pubs, salons, personal services, and retailers.

• B.C. Premier John Horgan says he believes the province's economic restart is off to a good start: “On balance I’m pretty satisfied with how we’re underway," he said.

• District of Taylor councillors want more details on what it will take and what it will cost to fully reopen Peace Island Park to campers this year.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 795 workers reported at camp.

• Though the Fort St. John Huskies will never be able to officially claim the 2019-20 Senators Cup title, the team can think of this season as the culmination of a 13-year journey to regain a winning culture.

• The first annual Peace Valley Folk Festival has been postponed to next year.

• The federal government says it’s working with provinces to cover 50% of commercial rent for small businesses under financial pressure amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the latest developments for May 19:

• Since March 16, approximately 1,200 urgent surgeries have been performed in the Northern Health region.

• University Hospital of Northern B.C. keeps COVID at bay: “Our initial modeling and predictions were terrible; we were going to be completely overwhelmed and we have preparations in place for that, but we’ve been lucky so far."

• Air Canada plans to resume flights between Fort St. John and Vancouver starting on June 22.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 770 workers reported at camp.

• City hall and development services reopened today for front counter service.

• The 4-H Achievement Days have been cancelled, but District 4-H Clubs are still planning on holding a beef, sheep and swine sale.

• Canada and the U.S. have agreed to extend restrictions on non-essential travel across their shared border another 30 days.

• MLA Dan Davies, on caution and collaboration in B.C.'s economic reboot: "As members of the Official Opposition, we have been working closely with constituents and stakeholders across our ridings to hear their concerns. Over the past few weeks, Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson has put forward several ideas to government."

• Columnist Judy Kucharuk, on the race for beauty: "Let’s face it, we aren’t re-emerging from our cocoon of self-isolation looking like butterflies. Some of us (me) look like melted candles, and not the expensive ones."

• The United Way of Northern B.C. will be distributing more than $708,000 in federal funding to local charities looking to adapt their frontline services to support vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the latest developments for May 18:

• The McLeod Lake Indian Band has issued a warning about a band member living in Prince George who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is not following quarantine orders while he continues to engage in high-risk behaviours.

• Health Canada has authorized vaccine clinical trials at Dalhousie University.

• As some British Columbia businesses prepare to reopen their doors on Tuesday when the province enters the second phase of its COVID-19 restart plan, others say they're holding off while they grapple with new health protocols.

• Canadians stay cautious about easing COVID-19 restrictions: poll

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 807 workers reported at camp.

• Canada is part of a coalition of 62 countries calling for an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the World Health Organization’s timeline of actions pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The World Health Organization bowed to calls Monday from most of its member states to launch an independent probe into how it managed the international response to the coronavirus, which has been clouded by finger-pointing between the U.S. and China over a pandemic that has killed over 300,000 people and levelled the global economy.

Here are the latest developments for May 15:

• B.C. students and schoolchildren will have the option to return to the classroom part-time starting June 1. The program will be completely voluntary, and the choice to participate will be completely in the hands of individual parents.

• A Fort St. John man says he was the target of racist slurs while grocery shopping on Tuesday. Anti-Asian racism has been on the rise in Canada ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, due to the virus originating in Wuhan, China.

• Peace Island Park may soon be open in a limited capacity to RVs, but remain closed for day use.

• Columnists Charo Lloret and Kalpana Loganathan, on the incompetent bureaucracy scam: "Consider this a complaint, Mr. Trudeau. Perhaps you should pick up your cellphone and record how long does it take you to contact EI to access the emergency help you have announced ad nauseam?"

• There are zero Site C workers in self-isolation, and 834 workers reported at camp.

• Ottawa will extend the wage subsidy program by three months to the end of August.

Here are the latest developments for May 14:

• 2020 NPSS grad plans have been outlined: "For those that still want the traditional ceremony, we are truly sorry that you will not be able to participate in the traditional ceremony. We know it sucks," says Principal Randy Pauls.

• BC Hydro says it will begin increasing construction activities Site C. The first increase in work will focus on restarting some of the main civil works on the earthfill dam and roller-compacted concrete dam buttress, the company said May 14.

• There are zero Site C workers in self-isolation, and 834 workers reported at camp.

• As B.C. reopens, communities need to know numbers: "With numbers down (to a single digit on Tuesday), society reactivating and people set to increase their chances of infection by exposing themselves to a larger range of potential transmitters, there are now much stronger reasons to make community numbers available than to keep them hidden," writes John Gleeson.

• More than 70% of B.C. residents support province’s plan to reopen economy, poll says.

• Reopening your business: things to know from WorkSafeBC Director of OHS Consultation and Education Services Chris Black.

• The key guideline for places of worship is a continued ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. And should religious facilities restart services with fewer than 50 people, they will be expected to ensure augmented hygiene and physical distancing norms, Premier John Horgan says.

• Seniors columnist Ruby McBeth, on being careful in public places: "As the restrictions are loosened, I for one want to be careful in public places. I have some face masks I can wear and I am starting to use them."

• Observers say the second outbreak of COVID-19 at an oilsands mine work camp in northern Alberta is concerning but the industry is dealing with the risk in an appropriate way.

• Travel restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic might help British Columbia defend against invasive mussels, but the province is taking no chances as it works to keep the creatures out of B.C. waterways.

• MP Zimmer, on economic recovery and the Taylor Bridge: "While we all know we aren’t out of the woods yet, there is a reason for cautious optimism and I believe now is the time that we should begin thinking about what infrastructure projects in our region could help our local economy recover and thrive."

• From our letters, on Taylor's decision to slash 2020 tax rates: "Hats off and congratulations to the District of Taylor for their gutsy, but right move to significantly cut property taxes – an example that unfortunately the City of Fort St. John seems unable or unwilling to follow," writes Steve Thorlakson.

• National parks, historic sites partly reopening June 1, but no camping yet.

• This year's Texas 4000 team has cancelled its bike ride to Alaska due to Covid-19. Students from the University of Texas make the annual trek from Austin to Anchorage raising funds in the fight against cancer, and are always sure to stop and spend a night with Rotarians in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.

• The Fort St John RCMP will likely reopen front counter services by the end of the month. 

• Canada’s fish and seafood sector is getting a boost from Ottawa to the tune of $470 million.

Here are the latest developments for May 13:

• Premier John Horgan announced Wednesday $120 million in funding to clean up 2,000 dormant and orphan wells in northern B.C. The province says funding will be open to oil and gas field service companies and contractors based in B.C., with registration, office and operations in B.C.

• Blueberry River band member affiliated with COVID-19 returns home: "During this COVID-19 outbreak, our community has rallied around to protect our Elders and vulnerable band members from this health threat. Because of how contagious this respiratory virus is, we continue to restrict those who can come into Blueberry River First Nation in an effort to shield our band members, especially our Elders."

• The Peace River Regional District says it will reopen day-use areas at four regional and community parks this weekend. Montney Centennial Regional Park will open first on Thursday, May 14, followed by Iver Johnson Community Park on Friday, May 15. By the weekend, residents will be able to visit day-use parks at Sundance and Spencer Tuck parks.

• Provincial parks will reopen just in time for the long weekend. Most northern provincial parks will open for day-use on Thursday, May 14.

• The 2020 Halfway River rodeo is cancelled: "We just made the decision to take care of our elders and membership.T there's a lot of uncertainty still around COVID-19 and we want to take care of ourselves and everyone who would come to the rodeo," said organizer Jeff Metecheah.

• Peace region gym owners are now in possession of guidelines from Northern Health as it relates to re-opening.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 841 workers reported at camp.

• Columnist Judy Kucharuk, on Physical Distancing Stress Syndrome: "Has anyone else experienced Physical Distancing Stress Syndrome? I can only describe it as an anxiety-ridden response to entering a store without arrows on the floor."

• Students facing little hope of landing a summer job during the pandemic will be able to apply for federal assistance beginning Friday.

Here are the latest developments for May 12:

• A woman from the Blueberry River First Nation has returned home from hospital after a fight with COVID-19.

• Starting today, Northern Health will begin to contact patients to book procedures, and to confirm if they are willing and able to move forward with surgery. 

• COVID-19 testing equipment has arrived in Fort St. John, and Northern Health anticipates tests to start being processed here within two weeks. The GeneXpert machine first needs to be tested and validated,

• Taylor council approved a 95% rate cut for businesses Monday, and a tax cut of up to 33% for most other property owners this year. The changes for the 2020 tax year are intended to offset the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Mayor Rob Fraser.

• The Dinosaur Lake boat launch will open on Friday, May 15 at 9 a.m. Visitors will be able to use the boat launch, restrooms, and day-use area, just in time for the long weekend. 

• School District 60 has reopened its playgrounds to the public.

• Fort St. John is getting ready to help businesses and answer questions about their re-opening plans as the provincial economy readies for a reboot next week.

• May 11 to 17 is Nursing Week. May 12 is also International Nurses Day, and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, one of the founders of modern nursing.

• Transit fare collection is scheduled to resume June 1. Fort St. John fares will remain at $2 for adults, and $1.75 for seniors and students, which have not changed since 2012.

• Ottawa has pledged to give a one-time, tax-free payment of $300 to eligible seniors through the Old Age Security pension.

• The reopening or re-imagining of B.C.’s libraries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic could take up to two years, but immediate access to services will be phased in with some tweaks to how services have normally been provided.

• An Alberta business has been charged with marking up pandemic-related items for sale by more than 300 and 400% in some cases.

• MLA Dan Davies, on questions about B.C.'s opening plans: "As the MLA for Peace River North, I am still looking for a more rural-specific strategy in the recovery plan as our economy and resulting recovery will look very different from downtown Vancouver."

• The federal government needs stronger measures to deal with a coming influx of people from the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, evidence that Canada is bracing for the challenge of existence next door to the world's largest COVID-19 hotspot.

Here are the latest developments for May 11:

• As B.C. looks towards a gradual reopening of the economy and social interactions, starting on the upcoming long weekend, the numbers are promising that the rate of transmission continues to fall, though provincial health officer Bonnie Henry warned Monday that “COVID-19 has not gone away.”

• Fort St. John city council approved property tax rates for 2020, approving a bylaw that holds the line on rates at 2019 levels.

• Fort St. John city council awarded $5 million in contracts to two local companies for road and sewer construction projects this year.

• WestJet has extended its suspension of flights to Vancouver through to July 4.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 831 workers reported at camp.

• The federal government is promising to bolster the finances of the country’s largest employers — those with annual revenue of at least $300 million.

• A federal financing relief package for large Canadian companies was applauded by the oil and gas sector and the Alberta government on Monday despite conditions that could link the aid to an individual company's climate change goals.

• Guest columnist Rob Booker, on Canada's health and economic recovery: "We will collectively benefit by focusing on revitalizing the sometimes remote communities and trade corridors that link Canadian natural resources with global demand."

• The spring runoff and an "unprecedented" drop in the demand for electricity because of COVID-19 is forcing BC Hydro to shut down some of its operations and spill water from its dams.

• The Rotary Club of Fort St. John raised an estimated $5,500, and 20 large totes of food and household supplies for the Women’s Resource Society at its drive-thru fundraiser on Mother's Day.

• The third and final Seniors, We Wish You Well Parade goes Wednesday, May 13. Organizers have decided that this will be the final edition of the parade since restrictions are slowly beginning to lift. 

Here are the latest developments for May 9:

• The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality says it will open the Tetsa River and Andy Bailey parks for camping beginning May 14.

• The Rotary Club of Fort St. John will host a drive-thru fundraiser Sunday in support of the Women's Resource Society, and in lieu of this year's Mother's Day run.

• There will be no Mother’s Day Motocross Race in Taylor this weekend. However, the Taylor Motocross Association has opened the track, limiting it to only 40 people on the track grounds at a time. 

• Dr Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix warned people to avoid close contact with their mothers on Mother's Day even though they say that they believe B.C. has flattened the curve of new infections and hospitalizations of COVID-19.

• There is one Site C worker in self-isolation, and 861 workers reported at camp.

• The Peace River Regional District board denied funding for several community groups in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

• A proposed Lax Kw’alaams checkpoint on Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace could hurt businesses, says the local Chamber. 

Here are the latest developments for May 8:

• Northeast B.C. lost 2,500 jobs in April, spiking the regional unemployment rate more than three percentage points to 7.4%.

• Air Canada has extended its suspension at the Fort St. John airport until June 21.

• Guest columnist Neil Godbout, on the conspiracy COVID-iots: "In most conspiracy theories, the government is given supernatural powers of planning and persuasion in their bid to seize control of the world. Yet governments small and large around the world prove every day they are incapable of keeping anything secret for long, and require multiple committees, consultants and studies on how to assemble a two-car parade."

Here are the latest developments for May 7:

• B.C. restaurants are looking at a possible June 1 reopening date, pending approval from WorkSafeBC, said the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association.

• Expect a backlog when barbers, salons, clinics reopen: Hair salons, barber shops and other “personal service” businesses will be allowed to reopen, though they will have to have a plan approved by WorkSafeBC for how they plan to adhere to safety measures aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 virus.

• Dental offices will be allowed to re-open to non-emergency care in the coming weeks with enhanced protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Most provincial parks will open for day use only on May 14 and most campgrounds and backcountry camping will open on June 1.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 883 workers reported at camp.

• Columnist Brad Brain, on your COVID-19 economic recovery toolkit: "Even well-intentioned people who qualify for the programs might become discouraged by the complexity of the language. Take heart though. There are professionals that help you navigate these programs."

• The federal government has reached an agreement with all the provinces and territories for a wage top-up for essential workers. Details are still be finalized with some of the provinces but it will be up it will be up to those other jurisdictions to determine who will qualify for the pay increase.

Here are the latest developments for May 6:

• B.C.’s economy will restart in four phases, with the first order of business being the resumption of elective surgeries, personal care services, like dentistry, hair salons, retail and the reopening of provincial parks for day use starting in mid-May.

• The Ministry of Education will address details of what school openings might look like in coming days, and school districts will have to determine how best to implement policies in their areas.

• What to know about B.C.'s restart plan: Click here for all the details about the timeline, testing strategies, and public health protocols for businesses, schools, daycares, retailers, and sports.

• The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted B.C.’s health-care system, forcing 16,100 scheduled surgeries to be indefinitely postponed, with an estimated 28,000 to 30,000 postponements expected by the third week of May.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 889 workers reported at camp today.

• Nav Canada says it will be suspending overnight air navigation services in Fort St. John and Fort Nelson.

• Resource sector reboot is more about markets: Even if the provincial health officer gives resource companies the green light, some face the additional challenge of falling demand for commodities like lumber, copper and metallurgical coal.

• Columnist Judy Kucharuk, on thieves and Covid-19: "Is it my imagination or have there been fewer reports of vehicle thefts since the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, does that mean that even thieves are concerned for their personal well-being? Or does it simply mean that their order of PPE hasn’t arrived yet?"

Here are the latest developments for May 5:

• Since March 20, the BC Nurses’ Union has received 142 concerns from Northern Health nurses concerned their employer is unable to provide them with adequate PPE such as gowns, gloves, face shields and N95 respirator masks.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 850 workers reported at camp today.

• The Northern Development Initiative Trust has launched a one-year program to help businesses throughout the north get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The recent recall of Canada’s first rapid point-of-care test device highlights the importance of laboratory testing capacity to handle the anticipated colossal effort required to trace and test suspected COVID-19 infections during a so-called re-opening of social and economic activity.

• MLA Dan Davies, on the road to economic recovery: "As the government prepares to introduce its re-opening plan this week, we must now begin to focus on our economic recovery. B.C. is facing one of the largest recessions in recent history due to the economic impact of COVID-19 and the economic recovery will need to be vast and complex."

• The federal government is seeding the country’s farmers and food sector with $252 million in funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• A B.C. ministerial order gives local governments significant power to pass bylaws in one sitting, a move observers say violates democratic principles.

• Across the country, more than half of Canadians (53%) agree with their provincial government’s plan to ease restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, while 39% disagree and 8% are undecided.

• Despite use of pandemic-driven video-conferencing to keep people connected, Canadians’ feelings of isolation are higher than ever, new national mental health statistics indicate.

• B.C.'s road to recovery: With the United States accounting for 75% of Canada’s foreign trade, how exactly the U.S. economy reopens will play a major role in the Canadian recovery. But with reopening businesses falling under state jurisdiction, how each region reopens will differ greatly.

• Dr. Bonnie Henry is open to the idea of Metro Vancouver becoming a host region for the National Hockey League to resume its 2019-20 season.

Here are the latest developments for May 4:

• There are now 15 laboratory-confirmed cases in B.C. among workers from the Kearl Lake oilsands site near Fort McMurray. An additional eight laboratory-confirmed cases and two presumed cases have been reported among British Columbians who did not travel to Kearl Lake but had contact with a worker.

• Air Canada has extended its suspension at the Fort St. John airport until May 31.

• There are no Site C workers in self-isolation, and 827 workers reported at camp today.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed $850 million in international funding to fight a global pandemic, but despite billions in emergency funding announcements in recent weeks blowing a big hole in the federal government’s budget, Trudeau said he will not be doing a budget revision or economic forecast update anytime soon.

• MP Bob Zimmer, on sneaking in a gun ban during COVID-19: "Instead of pushing forward with his own ideological agenda, the Prime Minister should have waited until this health crisis had passed and introduced legislation in the House of Commons so that it could be properly debated and Canadians’ voices could be heard."

• Columnists Charo Lloret and Kalpana Loganathan, on keeping calm and dreaming on: "Nobody’s going to steal my dreams away with dreary financial forecasts or the daily recitation of death statistics."

• Stores envision phased retail reawakening: Even as restrictions ease, businesses are going to have change the way they operate. The changes most obvious to consumers will be those they’ve already seen – social distancing and the transparent barriers at checkouts. 

Here are the latest developments for May 2:

• Dr Bonnie Henry reported no new test positive cases of COVID-19 in northern B.C. Saturday, but urged those who work at the Kearl Lake oilsands project near Fort McMurray to follow public health orders to stem the spread of the virus in their communities.

• The Dinosaur Lake boat launch as well as campgrounds at Cameron Lake, King Gething, Alwin Holland, and Dinosaur Lake remain remain closed until further notice.

• Columnist Kirk LaPointe, on the overdue blueprint for B.C.’s COVID-19 recovery: "Other jurisdictions that started later into COVID-19’s wrath are exiting sooner from the confinement – or if they can’t pinpoint on the calendar when, they at least have a roadmap how. Ours is trickling out like hand santizer from an all-but-empty bottle."

• The province is counting on its $1.5-billion economic recovery fund to get the province through the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, says Finance Minister Carole James.

• The federal government is unlikely to step into provincial jurisdictions to provide rent support for residential renters across the country, despite announcing earlier a similar plan for supporting small-business rent.

• While Canadians have become accustomed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's daily COVID-19 updates, they seem to be getting fewer and farther between.

• Four B.C. poultry processing plants have recorded outbreaks of COVID-19.

• Twelve-year-old Jayden Labelle and his family were out participating in a Easter egg scavenger hunt during Easter weekend, when he had the idea of creating his own. 

• B.C. teachers have reached a new collective agreement amid work-from-home orders. It calls for a three-year term with general wage increases of 2% each year, plus the ability to negotiate conditional and modest funding that can be used to drive “tangible service improvements.”

Here are the latest developments for April 30:

• Rig activity in northeast B.C. has held around 20% during the last month of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Columnist Judy Kucharuk, on cooking up a new recipe for life: "I realize that I have surreptitiously been working my way through the stages of grief: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Is this bargaining or is this acceptance?"

• The Hudson’s Hope pool is closed to the public until May 31 to comply with provincial health orders. District staff will continue to prep the pool to bring it online if and when health orders are rescinded. “Bringing the pool online does mean it will be open to the public. It is uncertain whether the District swimming pool will be allowed to open as planned or even at all,” wrote Mayor Dave Heiberg in an update. In the meantime, the pool will be cleaned and inspected, and the heating and chlorine systems will also be tested. Repair and upkeep should take about two weeks. 

• The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on court activities have highlighted the B.C. courts’ deficient technological capabilities, says B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson.

• Restoring international enrolment is top priority for colleges and universities: students from abroad contribute more than $22 billion to Canada’s economy on an annual basis.

• There are 2 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 877 workers reported at camp.

• The second edition of the Seniors We Wish You Well Parade took place April 28, with close to 30 groups of participants riding the short loop around the North Peace Seniors Housing Society.

• Gyms in town are set to reopen by Monday, May 4.

Here are the latest developments for April 29:

• The province has extended its state of emergency by another two weeks as it prepares to restart parts of the economy. B.C. premier John Horgan told media on Wednesday that the province is looking at a phased-in re-opening of B.C.'s economy that will start next week. 

• Reporter Dillon Giancola caught up with his family's former exchange student, Stefania Casu, a doctor from Milan. Both Casu and her partner were working on the front lines of the crisis and contracted the virus, and were both sent back to work in the hot zones after recovering. 

• The Fort St. John farmers market is scheduled to open May 16 at the seniors hall. Only 10 people will be allowed in at one time.

• The Hudson's Hope outdoor farmers market opens June 2, and will be limited to 50 people at a time. The market will focus on fresh vegetables, locally raised beef, and other food items. Crafts will not be available for sale.

• Where's Waldo, Fort St. John Edition will take place on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

• There are 4 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 877 workers reported at camp.

• Irving Oil is looking to bring more Western Canadian crude into its refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, to help deal with supply chain issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• With pandemic measures making environmental assessment work harder, B.C.’s Environmental Office has extended the assessment period for the proposed Tilbury LNG plant to July 26.

• From the mailbag, on pandemic relief for Canada's energy industry: "Our energy employers and workers are worried about how they will survive and every day without action puts jobs permanently at risk," writes MP Bob Zimmer.

• Finance columnist Brad Brain, on the price of dithering when markets are down and their recovery outlook: "I do not think that when the markets recover it is likely to be a gradual, measured response. Rather, I expect big chunks of the recovery are likely to happen very quickly, maybe even over a few days. If you miss those days then you miss a large part of the recovery."

• The consensus in the tourism sector is that governments will gradually lift restrictions and that a return to anything resembling how the economy operated in February will not be possible until at least next year.

Here are the latest developments for April 28:

• The province has not ruled out a return to in-class instruction before the end of the regular school year. Education Minister Rob Fleming said the province is planning for a number of scenarios, which includes planning for some level of class instruction.

• The 2020 golf season is finally here, with new rules and regulations for COVID-19 that all golfers must follow. Farmington Fairways and Lone Wolf Golf Club will open April 29; Fort St. John Links is hoping to open by Monday, May 4. Lakepoint is still wet and it may be a week or two before it opens.

• The BC Wildfire Service is working with agriculture producers in the Peace region to accommodate the burning of residual crops to prepare for 2020 seeding. A significant number of grain crops in the Peace were not harvested in the fall of 2019 due to excess field moisture and snow.

• There are 4 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 898 workers reported at camp.

• Cadets in Fort St. John won't be able to host their annual Mother's Day steak and lobster dinner and dance this year, but they're still raising money to keep the youth program funded.

• Some B.C. megaprojects don’t need to restart because they never stopped; like all other business in B.C., they are just waiting for the green light from the provincial health officer so they can gradually start bringing workers back to make up for some lost time.

• Canada must have enough capacity to sufficiently test for and trace cases of COVID-19 before the economy can reopen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

• Fort St. John caremonger Moriah Davidson delivered more than three dozen handmade masks each to the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society and Salvation Army last week.

• The second Seniors We Wish You Well Parade goes Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Here are the latest developments for April 27:

• The Northern Rockies wants more strict regulation of travel into the region.

• The number of new COVID-19 infections in B.C. continues to fall, and in the days to come British Columbians can look forward to announcements of plans to ease of some restrictions, provincial health officer Bonnie Henry say However, she would not say which types of services and businesses will be allowed to open first.

• There are 5 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 941 workers reported at camp.

• Businesses can expect payments for the federal government’s wage subsidy program to arrive beginning May 7, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

• The Conservative Party is calling on the Trudeau government to close loopholes in aid programs for small businesses and workers coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

• B.C. restaurants could be allowed to open their dining rooms as early as next month, although the provincial government has made clear that any loosened restrictions will come from provincial health officer Bonnie Henry.

• Seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie spoke about the need to help people who care for seniors still living at home, and the need to address some of the concerns over long-term care homes. Some of those concerns include family members sometimes waiting weeks to hear about the status of parents or grandparents in care homes, or not being able to be there for loved ones who are dying.

• Energy projects like an LNG Canada export terminal and the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion may face short-term setbacks but the pandemic and oil price crash shouldn't threaten their long-term viability, economists say.

• Both the Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenge and the Sadownik Memorial Run/Hike will be held virtually from June 1 to 15.

• North Peace Minor Baseball is open to the idea of having a season from June to July if team sports are able to return in time.

• British Columbia has counted its first COVID-19-related death in a First Nations community. Dr. Dan Cutfeet of the 'Namgis Health Centre says the person was from their small island community in Alert Bay, on Cormorant Island.

Here are the latest developments for April 24:

• The Fort St John Hospital Foundation says that $63,000 has been donated or pledged to date in support of its greatest need fund for COVID-19. Related needs include six additional IV pumps that cost $6,000 each, and the replacement of cardiac defibrillators and monitors that cost $40,000, as two are nearing end of life.

• Fort St. John family doctors are reminding residents to keep on top of their health and in touch with their physician during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially if they have a chronic condition.

• Columnists Charo Lloret and Kalpana Loganathan, on dreaming of a better future after the pandemic: "We can feed ourselves and others with optimism, and creative fresh ideas to help Humankind to grow up and come out of this pandemic in full bloom, ready to implement new approaches to life."

• Prime minister Justin Trudeau announced the launch of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program, which will lower rent payments by 75% for small businesses. It is expected to be operational by mid-May.

• B.C. Finance Minister Carole James says the commercial rent funding will take the form of forgivable loans given to landlords to cover 50% of an eligible small-business tenant’s rent. If the landlord is then able to lower the tenants’ rents by 75% or more, the loan will be forgiven.

• B.C. tree planting companies are now required to implement plans to fight the spread of the pandemic at work camps, including field camps and hotel accommodations.

• The province has added hunting and angling to its list of essential services. With this listing comes great responsibility and a degree of scrutiny; as responsible citizens and conservationists, we need to ensure these activities are conducted within the guidelines set out by the Provincial Health Officer,” said Bill Bosch, President of the BC Wildlife Federation.

• There are 6 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 966 workers reported at camp.

Here are the latest developments for April 23:

• University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George is now able to test samples taken from individuals showing symptoms of COVID-19, with capacity soon to be added in Fort St. John and Terrace.

• Ottawa is committing another $1.1 billion to the nation’s scientific research community to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as treatments and testing for the coronavirus.

• There are 7 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 980 workers reported at camp.

• The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is calling for a reset on B.C.’s seniors care system after COVID-19 swept through two dozen long-term care facilities, claiming multiple lives.

• Fort St. John's summer sports leagues are holding out hope in light of Dr. Henry's comments this week that leagues may be able to run in the coming months, with restrictions.

• C.M. Finch Elementary teacher Cassandra Mervyn runs the popular Facebook page Ms. Mervyn's ArtHouse, where she has been busy posting hopeful messages, craft ideas, and guided drawings throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the latest developments for April 22:

• The province reported no new cases of COVID-19 in northern B.C. on Wednesday, but 71 new cases in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.

• Premier John Horgan offered hope that restrictions on society and business can begin to be eased around or before mid-May. But he also said there will likely be some permanent changes to the way the private long-term care and assisted living sector operates, and that “a dialogue” will need to be had with industry to address the problem of workers who don’t get sick pay showing up for work sick – as was the case in a poultry plant that has had a COVID-19 outbreak.

• Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman says she will be recommending council approve a $1.15 million relief plan for residents and businesses next week. Among the measures being proposed are to eliminate the proposed 1.25% tax rate increase, move the late penalty date for property taxes to October 1, and to create a new standing committee for economy recovery.

• Of the coronavirus cases in Northern Health, 39% entered the region by International and flight travel, and 30% through local transmission. The rest is unknown and still being investigated.

• From the mailbag, on putting Site C topsoil to good use reclaiming orphan wells: "I know from experience that to properly reclaim well site damage and sink holes requires lots of good topsoil. And good topsoil is hard to find in Peace Country!" writes Martin Wuthrich.

• There are 6 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 961 workers reported at camp.

• The federal government is introducing new measures totalling $9 billion to assist students facing a summer in which seasonal work is unlikely to materialize.

• Dr Bonnie Henry opened the door Tuesday to the possibility of youth sports leagues resuming play in the coming months, with the caveat that restrictions will need to be put in place to reduce the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 virus.

• The city says its tennis courts are open and available for use, so long as users follow the same recommendations from provincial health officers that apply to the city’s trails and parks.

Here are the latest developments for April 21:

• MLA Dan Davies says he will be offering hand sanitizer refills to the public at his office in Fort St. John on Wednesday afternoon.

• Three regional parks with overnight camping facilities, as well as one community park, are being closed this week until further notice.

• Direct flights between Fort St. John and Vancouver through WestJet are not scheduled to resume until at least June 5. The lone flight to Calgary will be reduced through May.

• The federal government is earmarking $350 million for the country’s vulnerable populations as they deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime minister pointed to organizations such as United Way, Community Foundations of Canada and the Red Cross Canada as soon-to-be recipients of the funding.

• Stronger and more stable natural gas prices in the wake of North American oil production cuts are offering hope for better times to some gas producers.

• There are 7 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 964 workers reported at camp.

• MLA Dan Davies on shopping local and supporting local during the pandemic: "The North is a great place to be. Our small businesses are not only critical to our economy, but our identity and community spirit."

• From the mailbag, on the upcoming Day of Mourning on April 28: "Last year, 140 workers in B.C. lost their lives to workplace injury or disease. Let’s honour them safely, wherever we may be, with a minute or two of silence, and at least two metres apart," writes Al Phillips.

• In case you missed it, there's still been plenty of good news in our community during these hard and uncertain times. Click here to catch up. 

Here are the latest developments for April 20:

• In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Health is looking to fill more than 300 vacant nursing positions — 88 of them in the northeast.

• Northern Health having more than 300 current postings for nursing positions puts immense pressure on the current nurses working across the region to provide adequate levels of service.

• An adequate amount of personal protective equipment for area nurses remains an ongoing issue, according to B.C. Nurses Union.

• There are 7 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 961 workers reported at camp.

• The pandemic appears to have accelerated a plan to provide provincial transportation services — from airplanes and helicopters to 55 new ambulances — to get people living in remote communities to hospitals.

• Police and other law enforcement officials are now empowered to issue $2,000 violation tickets for price gouging of essential goods and the reselling of medical supplies.

• No deal has been reached yet between all parties as to how exactly 338 members of the House of Commons can resume their work.

• Parker Miller had been looking forward to having a dinosaur egg hunt on his birthday for months. That was cancelled, but mom Michelle O'Laney made other plans instead.

Here are the latest developments for April 18:

• There are 9 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 971 workers reported at camp.

• Festivals, large weddings will not happen in coming season, says Dr Henry.

• Canada and the U.S. will extend a border closure for another 30 days.

• The federal government will provide $306 million to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The federal government should consider rent relief or risk a wave of Canadians becoming homeless in the wake of COVID-19, advocates told MPs.

Here are the latest developments for April 17:

• B.C. won’t be lifting COVID-19-related restrictions any time soon in order to continue flattening the infection rate curve, Dr. Bonnie Henry says. If the province were to return to 80% to 100% of regular human contact, B.C. would see a huge surge in critical care patient numbers between April 20 and May 20, she says.

• The federal government has announced new rules requiring all air passengers to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel.

• Peace Island Park has been closed until further notice. The closure includes all trails, camping, and day use areas. The ball diamonds in Taylor are also closed, as is all playground equipment.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $1.7 billion investment to clean up orphaned oil wells in B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Alberta's Orphan Well Association lists 11,329 wells, pipelines, facilities and sites in its care as of April 15. Between them, B.C. and Saskatchewan have another 1,300. The $1.7 billion would average out to about $135,000 per site.

• In case you missed it, there's still been plenty of good news in our community during these hard and uncertain times. The last month has seen residents step up to help others through the coronavirus pandemic, Good Samaritans make lifesaving roadside rescues, and our student athletes sign college deals and be recognized for their acts of charity.

• More good news is that the number of recoveries continues to far surpass the number of people in hospital, and even those who have not recovered.

• From the mailbag, regarding pandemic outings: "With the high fire hazard, campfire smoke alerted us to a recreational party just below the house last night," writes Ross Peck in Farrell Creek.

• The provincial government has launched a new mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students. Here2Talk,offers confidential, free single-session services by app, phone or online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• More than 57,000 residential customers have applied for a break on their bills since BC Hydro began accepting applications for it COVID-19 Relief Fund, the utility said Thursday.

• There are 11 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 970 workers reported at camp.

Here are the latest developments for April 16:

• Two more members of the Blueberry River First Nation have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and the band is getting no answers from Northern Health.

• From the mailbag: "If we were informed properly, the community might respond appropriately. To keep this information from the Northern Health communities is a dangerous and reckless decision," writes Charlie Lake resident Karen Lorre.

• The province has launched a new site for COVID-19 statistics. And while the dashboard of data doesn’t give a complete picture of the 32 lab-confirmed cases in northern B.C., such as community by community breakdowns, it does add some context to the overall picture of how the pandemic has played out so far.

• A virtual town hall is planned for April 22 in northern B.C. for residents to get answers to their questions about COVID-19.

• Respect the rules or parks will be closed, the city says.

• Two public washrooms have been placed outside of the North Peace Cultural Centre as part the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• School District 60 has started broadcasting a new virtual storytime each morning for primary school children.

• There were 10 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 975 workers reported at the camp.

Here are the latest developments for April 15:

• B.C. continues to flatten the COVID-19 curve. The number of new cases, deaths, and hospitalizations has been rangebound since April 8.

• The only commercial flight out of Fort St. John is now a lone daily WestJet flight to Calgary. The flight is scheduled six days a week Sunday through Fridays. Some flight days however have been cancelled due to a lack of demand.

• BC Hydro says its burn program for Site C is expected to finish today, one day before expanded restrictions go into force throughout B.C.

• The Northern Health region is getting significant donations to help it cope with COVID-19, thanks to LNG development in B.C.

• The province has extended its state of emergency for an additional two weeks. This Friday, the province will provide more information on its COVID-19 modelling. “I believe people have genuine cause for celebration,” he said, adding that the work is not yet done.

• Fort St. John churches celebrated Easter weekend as they normally would, but with a virtual twist: “Would you take the place of someone so they wouldn’t have to suffer from COVID-19?” asked Caleb Salmond, pastor of connections at Fort St. John Alliance Church.

• A Fort St. John photographer is collecting front porch portraits of families in exchange for food donations for the Women’s Resource Society.

• The federal government is expanding the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit to help those previously not eligible, and will soon offer some essential workers a top up, most notably those in care centres.

• There were 8 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 979 workers reported at the camp.

• The first two races of the 2020 Peace Motocross Association season have been suspended, including the May 10 Mother's Day Race in Taylor, and the May 23 event in Fort St. John.

• Sports reporter Dillon Giancola on the return of sports: "When I was first getting used to the idea of having no sports for a time, I did so by convincing myself that most leagues would be back by mid-April. Now that we’re in mid-April, I realize how silly that was, but it doesn’t matter because it helped me to adapt."

• Daily new COVID-19 cases continue to fall in B.C., but an outbreak at a federal prison in Mission has prompted provincial health officials to redeploy a mobile hospital from the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver to Abbotsford.

Here are the latest developments for April 14:

• City parks and trails are being monitored for social distancing, but there’s no plan to close them yet.

• There were 8 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 997 workers reported at the camp.

• For natural gas producers in B.C., the biggest concern now isn’t necessarily the impact of the COVID-19 and low oil prices on natural gas. A bigger concern is the effect on natural gas liquids, like propane and condensate.

• Friends and family of Adaura Cayford are putting together a pen pal campaign this week to bring her cheer as she continues her fight with cancer. Starting on April 15, residents can drop off cards and letters in a bin outside the Canadian Grind coffee shop. They will be held in quarantine until they are safe to deliver.

• Columnist Evan Saugstad on privacy laws and public health: "Why can’t we hear about cases in our community? What are they hiding? Can we really trust our health professionals if they do not give us the whole and complete story?"

• The federal government is taking a cue from B.C. and requiring all travellers entering its borders to have a quarantine plan in place.

• Columnists Rick Koechl & Mike Kroecher on whether coronavirus concerns can be contained at Site C: "We need to give our humblest gratitude and support to each and every caregiver, emergency responder, and essential worker, not additional worries."

Here are the latest developments for April 13:

• There were 7 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 993 workers reported at the camp.

Here are the latest developments for April 11:

• Read what Dr. Bonnie Henry had to say about the news a Peace Villa worker tested positive this week for COVID-19.

• Northern Health says no residents at the Peace Villa care home have shown symptoms of COVID-19, after it was learned one of its staff members tested positive for the coronavirus disease. Read an update from Angela De Smit, Northern Health Chief Operating Officer in the Northeast.

• An outbreak of respiratory illness at the Terraceview Lodge in Terrace is not related to COVID-19, Northern Health says.

• There were 12 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 995 workers reported at the camp.

• The Peace River Regional District says it is seeking advice from the province before opening regional parks for the camping season.

• Federal party leaders and a handful of cabinet ministers and MPs convened to debate the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy – an up to 75% employee wage subsidy available to businesses, non-profits and charities that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

• Canada reported 22,559 cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. There have been 600 coronavirus deaths to date.

Here are the latest developments for April 10:

• Northern Health says no residents at the Peace Villa care home have shown symptoms of COVID-19, after it was learned one of its staff members tested positive for the coronavirus disease. To read an update from Angela De Smit, Northern Health Chief Operating Officer in the Northeast, click here.

• There were 40 cases of confirmed COVID-19 in First Nation communities on reserves as of Thursday. 

• Blueberry River First Nation has released this letter outlining its COVID-19 efforts, in response to MP Bob Zimmer.

• There were 11 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 985 workers reported at the camp.

• A vehicle parade for seniors at the North Peace Seniors Housing Society starts April 15 and is planned to take place every second Wednesday.

• Canada and its G20 partners won't yet be following OPEC nations by cutting production to stop spiralling oil prices caused by the COVID-19 crisis and a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

• Ottawa is not yet prepared to invoke the federal Emergencies Measures Act. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says provinces still have the necessary tools under their own emergency measures to address the pandemic and he hopes the federal government will not need to step in.

Here are the latest developments for April 9:

• The Blueberry River First Nation has confirmed one of its members has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Earlier today, family reported that member was Tracy Paquette, a worker at the Peace Villa long-term care home in Fort St. John.

• Former Fort St. John teacher Paul Pearson died in Victoria on April 1 due to health complications caused by COVID-19, his friends and family say.

• There were 12 Site C workers in self-isolation, and 991 workers reported at the camp.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau re-emphasized his calls for Canadians to practise physical distancing and good hygiene as the first national forecasts of the COVID-19 pandemic projects as many as 22,000 deaths.

• The first punch of the pandemic left B.C. with 132,000 fewer jobs in March, with much of the shock felt in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. But data released April 9 reveals the worst is yet to come.

• Keeping track of items in short supply at local grocery stores: Though some stores are seeing toilet paper stocks return to normal, others aren’t, and new food items are suddenly in high demand weekly and can be hard to find.

• There's no need to be bored in the Times of Quarantine. Here is a running guide of events and activities happening online that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home.  

• Education Minister Rob Fleming on collaboration and school spirit in the time of COVID-19: "Although this is new territory for all of us, British Columbians can be reassured that there is an enormous level of collaboration going on between all K-12 education partners."

Here are the latest developments for April 8:

• Clinical trials on a drug to block the COVID-19 virus will start this week at 10 centres in Europe, says the University of B.C. researcher leading the work.

• There were 11 Site C workers in self-isolation quarantine, and 983 workers reported at the camp.

• All BC Parks are closed. Camping is banned until May 31, and all parks, protected areas, conservancies and recreation areas are closed to the public.

• The Canada Summer Jobs Program will get a subsidy of up to 100% from government to cover the cost of hiring students. Prime Minister Trudeau said more measures to help young people, gig workers and vulnerable seniors will soon be announced.

• BC Transit says handyDART service will start at 6:45 a.m. from Monday to Friday, effective April 9, to allow customers to participate in early shopping opportunities at participating businesses

• The province says it is establishing an Emergency Relief Support Fund for children and youth with special needs and their families.

• A national "Takeout Day" has been declared, in the hopes that Canadians who are able to do so order out a meal on Wednesdays for take-out or delivery from their favourite local restaurants.

Here are the latest developments for April 7:

• Former Fort St. John resident Doreen Gauvreau died in Calgary on Monday due to COVID-19 and underlying health issues, family are saddened to report.

• School District 60 Superintendent has provided this COVID-19 update on safety for students and staff, care for children of essential services workers, learning plans, and support for vulnerable students.

• The workforce at Site C grew by more than 400 in February, with 4,785 reported. It's not quite the peak the workforce reached in August 2019. And it’s not quite the workforce being reported at camp, where 979 workers were reported as of April 7.

• Construction continues at the new Anne Roberts Young elementary school, with school district officials reporting no significant delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Effective at noon on April 16, most open burning activities will be prohibited, although campfires will still be allowed.

• Fort St. John city councillors have struck a new committee to determine what to do with corporate and community donations that come in during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Central Mountain Air says all scheduled flights will be suspended effective April 11.

• MLA Dan Davies on B.C.’s COVID-19 education plan: "As Education Critic, I have been in contact with many school districts, teachers, support staff and union executives from around the province. The common theme from everyone is that there is a lot of uncertainty across the education system as government continues its efforts to battle this global pandemic."

• Columnist Bronwyn Moser on the balancing act of homeschooling and home-working: "Of course, younger children will require more attention and help for almost any activity, but with clear expectations and boundaries even a five-year-old can learn to work independently for short periods of time."

Here are the latest developments for April 6:

• Fort St. John city council voted Monday to rescind this year's water rate increases, and waive late payment penalties on utility bills to help residents through the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Truckers looking for a bathroom pit stop and a fresh cup of coffee on their way through Fort St. John during the COVID-19 pandemic can find more than a dozen businesses open to them along the Alaska Highway.

• There were 10 Site C workers in self-isolation quarantine, and 969 workers reported at the camp.

• Despite some promising signs that new cases of COVID-19 may be slowing, Henry warned that current restrictions on social activities, work and movement must be maintained.

• The Yukon government says officers were stationed on Monday at five checkpoints from British Columbia and one from the Northwest Territories.

• New infections and deaths continued to be reported across Canada on Monday, with 16,500 total cases and 321 deaths reported by the afternoon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians can still expect weeks or months of distancing measures.

• The federal government will soon change rules to let hundreds of thousands hard-hit workers access pandemic-related emergency relief, as federal systems began processing about 1,000 applications a minute for the new benefit.

• Fort St. John Rotarians will hold a drive-by food drive for the Salvation Army on April 11 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the back of the Safeway parking lot. There will be trucks with bins, and residents will be able to pull up and drop their donations into the bins with no contact. 

• Good Friday is April 10, Easter Sunday is April 12 — and Fort St. John churches have adapted on the fly to ensure thay they can still deliver Easter services. Check out our Fort St. John guide to a virtual Easter.

• The Government of Canada has launched the application portal for the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit to help Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis. MP Bob Zimmer gives readers and residents a primer on how to access this benefit.

Here are the latest developments for April 4:

• University of British Columbia researchers say they have found a trial drug that blocks the cellular door the virus uses to infect people with COVID-19.

• If you would like to show your support for medical workers in Fort St. John, a drive-by parade will make its way past the hospital at 7 p.m. tonight.

• A thank you from Fort St. John nurses: "Our hospital has been overwhelmed with support from our community," writes Jill Milonas, Fort St. John Operating Room Nurse

• The province will spend $10 million to expand infection prevention at senior care homes and address immediate needs related to COVID-19.

• Financial columnist Brad Brain on dollar cost averaging through the chaos: "The idea here is to pay yourself first. Take 10% of your income, and save it right off the top."

• Seniors Columnist Ruby McBeth on settling in and staying home: "I am trying out a new soup recipe most days while Lorne is getting into genealogy."

Here are the latest developments for April 3:

• More than 850 northern British Columbians have been tested for the COVID-19, but Northern Health's acting chief medical health officer warns the majority of cases will not be confirmed by the process.

• There are now 22 outbreaks of the COVID-19 respiratory disease reported at long-term care facilities in B.C. — prompting a question to Northern Health on why it is placing COVID-19 patients next door to Peace Villa.

• LISTEN: Audio from today's Northern Health COVID-19 briefing with media.

• BC Hydro says it is temporarily suspending the Site C shuttle service between Two Rivers Lodge and Fort St. John effective today.

• There were six Site C workers in self-isolation quarantine, and 932 workers reported at the camp.

• BC Hydro has issued the following construction bulletin for Site C construction works scheduled for April 4 to 17, 2020.

• Northern Lights College President Dr. Bryn Kulmatycki on COVID-19: "The world has gone through a sort of culture shock. It came on suddenly and the effects are still being felt ... The objective right now is to help students finish their programs."

• Fort St. John restaurateur Jordan Cramer-Girouard on COVID-19: "We need more help for small businesses, which don't require you to fill out an application."

• An interactive map of COVID-19 cases across Canada by province/territory can be found on our website by clicking here. It will be updated each day.

Here are the latest developments for April 2:

• Construction at Site C will continue until the doctor orders otherwise, Premier John Horgan says.

• There were five Site C workers in self-isolation quarantine, and 925 workers reported at the camp.

• City council will vote Monday on a motion to rescind this year's water and sewer rate increases, and waive late payment penalties on utility bills.

• The province is increasing monthly income and disability assistance payments by $300.

• The Northern Lights College Foundation announced emergency funding for students experiencing financial distress.

• Site C – shut ’er down or keep ’er going? Columnist Evan Saugstad writes: "Sustaining our economy is now more important than ever, the caveat being that all work must be conducted with due consideration given to not spreading the virus, and that is where it gets complicated."

• The school district has closed its playgrounds.

• On challenging medical authorities: "It’s been fair to ask why the level of reporting on the spread of the pandemic in the Northern Health region has been vague," writes Neil Godbout.

• Columnist Judy Kucharuk on the little things that bring us together: "Mayor Dale Bumstead in Dawson Creek also started doing something cool – every night at 7 p.m. he goes out onto his porch and beats a drum."

Here are the latest developments for April 1:

• A worker at the LNG Canada site has tested positive for COVID-19, the company has confirmed. The company notified workers in a March 28 letter, saying the individual returned to their home in the region to self-isolate upon experiencing mild symptoms a week earlier.

• Three more Site C workers have gone into quarantine, bringing the total to 7 of 935 workers now reported at the camp.

• Air Canada will suspend all operations in Fort St. John after today. The temporary suspension will last from April 2 until April 30.

• MP Bob Zimmer says he will be donating an automatic and legislated increase in his salary to a local church.

• The COVID-19 pandemic will require intensive care units and ventilators in the province’s hospitals, but an investigation has found that British Columbians are receiving unclear or inadequate information to let them know the local availability of those resources.

• The province is rolling out BC Hydro bill relief to residents, small businesses and large industrial operations. Residential customers will be eligible for a three-month credit; Small businesses that have closed their doors will not have to pay their hydro bills starting today through to the end of June; Large industrial customers will have the option to defer 50% of their bills over the next three months.

• The province is allocating $5 million to help sports organizations struggling at this time. 

• Wildfire season begins today, and the BC Wildfire Service is developing protocols to deal with COVID-19 while prepping for the upcoming season.

• The Ministry of Education has struck a deal with the Zoom videoconferencing company to enable teachers to communicate remotely with their students while in-class learning is suspended.

• Unemployed during COVID-19? Here's how to navigate federal programs.

• MLA Dan Davies has put together this list of some available supports and needs.

Here are the latest developments for March 31:

• The Chief of the Blueberry River First Nation has called on Premier John Horgan to suspend construction at Site C.

• The restrictions put in place to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus will last until at least the end of April, Health Minister Adrian Dix says.

• The Fort St. John Hospital has now been designated a primary COVID-19 hospital in northern B.C. Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace has also been designated.

• Industrial work camps must notify local health authorities on the slightest suspicion of an outbreak of COVID-19 under guidelines released by the provincial health officer on Monday.

• As of March 31, there were four Site C workers in self-isolation at the work camp, and zero confirmed cases, according to BC Hydro. There were nearly 100 more workers staying in camp from the previous day, and now up to 911.

• Neither the Trudeau government nor the B.C. public health officer appears inclined to shut down pipeline construction in Canada.

• A High Prairie man who died this week of complications due to COVID-19 is being remembered as a loving father and someone who cared for youth in his community.

• Fort St. John RCMP officers are doing their part to minimize the risk of COVID-19.

• MP Bob Zimmer has put together this list of COVID-19 related federal supports.

• Plans for this year's Spark Women's Leadership Conference may have been cancelled, but organizers still made sure to pay forward its continued support to the Women's Resource Society.

Here are the latest developments for March 30:

• A man in his 30s from High Prairie has died of COVID-19, the first reported death from the respiratory disease in northern Alberta.

• Crews at Site C working through the COVID-19 pandemic will be on an extended shift rotation with overtime pay, and workers are now subject to mandatory temperature checks in order to access the dam site.

• City council voted Monday to move to weekly garbage collection until Oct. 31.

• City council ordered Monday a review of the operating budget for the next four years and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the city's bottom line. Council stopped short of immediately implementing a number of relief measures that have been proposed for residents and businesses.

• Become a pen pal to a local senior — letters are being sought for Peace Villa, Abbeyfield House, Heritage Manors 1, 2, and 3, Taylor McMahon Manor, and North Peace Seniors Housing.

• Unlike many businesses in Canada, which are now either shut down or working with skeleton crews due to COVID-19 pandemic containment measures, resource companies in B.C. last week were still building pipelines, producing lumber, pulp, paper and natural gas, and mining gold, copper and metallurgical coal.

• The Oilmen's golf tourney is now cancelled after initial plans to proceed with the 58th annual event in June.

Here are the latest developments for March 28:

• Fort St. John city council will consider Monday a range of relief measures proposed for residents and businesses. Chief among them are cancelling the approved 1.25% tax rate hike, and deferring tax and utility payments and waiving late fees.

• Dr. Bonnie Henry reported Saturday no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Health region, but there are two patients currently hospitalized.

• Northern Health's capacity to treat patients will peter out more quickly than elsewhere in B.C. if the pandemic reaches the levels seen in the harder-hit regions of the world.

• Former Northern Health Chief Medical Officer David Bowering has written this open letter to Dr. Bonnie Henry calling for the release of COVID-19 case locations and the shut down of industrial work camps: "Telling Northerners that we have 12 positive tests from our region (as of today) without providing the location or putative source is to tell them (us) nothing. This is dangerous."

• Fort St. John city council will vote Monday whether to move to weekly garbage collection during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are concerns the city's recycling stream may become even more contaminated with garbage.

• As of noon Monday, boarding of domestic flights and trains will be denied to people showing any symptoms related to COVID-19.

Here are the latest developments for March 27:

• B.C.'s provincial health officer say she sees glimmers of hope in bending the COVID-19 curve downward but says it won't go down for a while yet. And all it would take is for one church group that flouted prohibitions on large gatherings, one plane returning from abroad with an infected person or one remote work camp with an infection outbreak to have seed the virus somewhere, where it could explode.

• The University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George is one of 17 hospitals in B.C. that have been designated as primary COVID-19 sites, which would be the first tasked with taking care of coronavirus patients in the event that the number of cases surges.

• The B.C. government has released this update on the province's latest epidemiological modelling of COVID-19 and its hospital mobilization plan.

• School District 60 has released its Continuity of Learning Information for Families.

• As of March 27, there were still 12 Site C workers in self-isolation at the work camp, and zero confirmed cases. There were 13 fewer workers staying in camp, down to 851.

• Fort St. John doctors and nurses who will be on the front lines treating local patients with the coronavirus disease COVID-19 are being fitted for face masks to ensure they don't contract the virus.

• The Halfway River First Nation has entered a full lock down, citing the high risk of COVID-19 "spreading like wildfire."

• It's too early to say how Fort St. John will deploy its bylaw officers in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. But if you're still planning to hold that wedding, or just got back from the tropics and aren't staying at home in quarantine, officers may soon be tracking you down.

• B.C. released a list of essential services on Thursday, with many delivery services on the list. “The need for our work is high, and it’s great to be able to work in this time, but it’s hard to keep staff willing to work,” said Paul Sheikh, who runs Time Courier Services.

• The federal government is upping its proposed wage subsidy for businesses to 75%. A broad swath of business and labour groups had criticized the original proposal of a 10% subsidy for falling well short of what was needed to avoid mass layoffs.

• Here is a detailed list of emergency benefits available to those who have been affected by COVID-19, and how to access them.

Here are the latest developments for March 26:

• The Halfway River First Nation has entered a full lock down. Residents will only be allowed to leave the community for health reasons, and those who otherwise disobey will not be allowed to re-enter unless agreeing to mandatory 14 days of self-isolation.

• Fort St. John has opened its emergency operations centre, and city councillors will meet weekly through April and the COVID-19 pandemic. All city buildings are now closed to the public, and city services still continue.

• As of March 26, there were still 12 Site C workers in self-isolation at the work camp, and zero confirmed cases. There were 11 fewer workers staying in camp, down to 864.

• The province has suspended all local states of emergency specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, and announced sweeping measures Thursday to prevent the hoarding and resale of food items and medical goods effective immediately.

• B.C. has released a list of essential services.

• The province has placed open burning restrictions in some areas of northeast B.C. to limit the potential spread of COVID-19, but controlled burns for Site C will continue.

• Confusion reigns over what makes a homeowner eligible for an emergency mortgage deferral, how the program works, whether interest is payable and whether deferring payments will affect credit scores. Here's what you need to know about deferring mortgage payments.

• The coronavirus couldn’t cancel birthday celebrations for Seth Ryan of Fort St. John on Wednesday. He couldn't have a party, family and friends gave him a parade instead.

• Local gyms dealing with the pandemic in different ways. Some are closed, some are still open.

Here are the latest developments for March 25:

• Fort St. John's borders remain open, and day-to-day policing will not be affected by the state of emergency declared Tuesday, says the city's mayor and police commander.

• As of March 25, there were still 12 Site C workers in self-isolation at the work camp, and zero confirmed cases. Nineteen more workers are now staying in camp, bringing the total to 875.

• Site C workers who need to self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic will not be moved into Fort St. John, BC Hydro says.

• There have been more than 400 people tested in northern B.C., but those test results could take up to two weeks.

• The city announced the temporary layoffs of 88 workers due to reduced operational demands at its recreation facilities. Benefits for eligible employees will continue and the city said it has committed to additional financial support.

• The Liberals say there will now be one benefit to provide $2,000 per month for four months to workers whose income drops to zero because of the pandemic.

• The province announced a $500-a-month rent supplement, as well as freezes rent increases and evictions. The supplement will be paid directly to landlords.

• Go for a drive: the Gallaghers have turned their fabulous Christmas lights display back on at 10575 242 Road, off the West Bypass: "I'll leave them on until everything gets better," Sean Gallagher says.

• Keep calm and dance on: Alchemy Dance Collective has launched an online dance challenge to other clubs and the community to keep spirits lifted.

• All eyes are on the upcoming golf season, and clubs in the region are hopeful to open: "Golf is basically social distancing by nature,” said Lakepoint General Manager Troy Knight. “We think golf could be a great recreational alternative.”

Here are the latest developments for March 24:

• The B.C. border with the Northwest Territories is now closed after the territories reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 21. The border closed as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, and only emergency and enforcement vehicles can cross.

• The City of Fort St. John has declared a state of local emergency: "These are unprecedented times as we find ourselves with limited tools at our disposal to be nimble and respond to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis," Mayor Lori Ackerman said.

• The eighth season of Big Brother Canada has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rianne Swanson, 29, an operating room nurse from Chetwynd, was still active on the show prior to the airing of Wednesday's episode.

• The operator of a work lodge north of Fort McMurray says a guest who fell ill last week does not have COVID-19.

• Six municipalities in the Alberta Peace say the biggest COVID-19 risk facing the region is the return of travellers from outside Canada. There are currently 20 confirmed cases in Alberta's northern health zone, with the third confirmed case in the Grande Prairie region reported today.

• The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation has postponed this year's Bluey Day fundraiser, and is encouraging folks to take part in online fundraising for local cancer supports and services.

• Construction of Woodfibre LNG has been delayed. This is in part due to work stoppages caused by COVID-19, including the shut down of a fabrication yard in China that was making product for the facility in Squamish.

• BC Hydro has now begun reporting daily updates on COVID-19 at Site C. As of March 24, there were 12 workers in self-isolation at the work camp, and zero confirmed cases.

• Tighter restrictions are being put in place at the Fort St. John Hospital. The Birthing Centre and Peace Villa are both now locked 24-7, with restricted visits only. Doors to the ER will be locked overnight, while the hospital's main doors will be locked on weekends. All visitors will be required to meet with screeners at the door.

• The City of Fort St. John will consider declaring a state of local emergency today. Chief among the city's concerns are the Site C work camp, where there are currently 16 workers in self-isolation with flu-like symptoms, and concern about the potential for sick workers to be moved into town.

• MP Bob Zimmer has typed up this helpful FAQ for residents looking for resources.

Here are the latest developments for March 23:

• More than 400 people in northern B.C. have been tested for COVID-19 since March 13, Northern Health says. The health authority says more than 400 test swabs from residents taken between March 13 to 21 were sent to provincial labs for testing.

• BC Hydro says it will begin giving regular updates to the public and the Peace River Regional District about its monitoring for COVID-19 at Site C. There have been 700 workers home since a scale-back in construction was announced March 18, and more workers are expected to be sent home this week. There were 940 people in camp on March 23.

• Premier John Horgan revealed a $5 billion action plan to help British Columbians survive the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Horgan said $2.8 billion will be spent on people and services, with the remaining $2.2 billion targeted towards businesses.

• Dr Carolyn Jones has written this open letter on behalf of the Medical Staff Association, Fort St John Hospital and Hudsons Hope Medical Centre: "Stay home unless absolutely necessary. No dinner parties. No shopping. No sports, not even outside. Instead, have coffee with a friend online."

• MP Bob Zimmer won't be in Ottawa when the House of Commons meets March 24 to introduce urgent economic measures as part of an $82-billion response to support Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be 32 MPs in the chamber to follow public health guidelines about social distancing, and split among the parties based on the number of seats they hold.

• A Lower Mainland man who travelled through the Vancouver and Prince George airports multiple times believes he may have exposed area residents to COVID-19.

• WestJet says it will fly once daily from Fort St. John to Vancouver, and twice daily to Calgary, from March 22 to April 21. 

• Central Mountain Air says it is suspending all scheduled flights on Tuesdays and from Friday to Sunday, effective March 28. In Fort St. John, the airline will fly to Prince George at 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

• Air Canada has not announced any route suspensions for Fort St. John.

• Performing Arts BC has cancelled its 2020 provincials. The Peace River North Festival Association says it will have more information on the festival in Fort St. John in the coming days.

• Have concerns about COVID-19 and your pet? Dogs and cats can potentially be fomites for the virus. What on Earth is a fomite? Dr. Sydney Routley explains.

• WorkBC Northeast says it will continue services virtually, either by phone, text, or email. There is no service disruption and the full range of services and supports are still being provided, it said.

• The province says it is keeping Service BC centres open. Core programs and services that will continue to be available include: Income assistance and disability assistance; Residential tenancy; BC Services Card; Drivers' licensing; Affordable Child Care Benefit; Medical Services Plan; and Forest-worker support programs

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pointing to an impending bailout package as a way to help renters, though new research suggests hundreds of thousands of households may be in dire financial straits before the federal money arrives.

Here are the latest developments for March 22:

• While the new COVID-19 guidelines allow construction to continue, they could make it more difficult for major projects like the Site C dam and LNG Canada projects to comply, given the sheer number of the work forces.

• Sixteen Site C workers are in quarantine with flu-like symptoms. The workers are staying in a 30-room dormitory, with four addional similar-sized dorms available for workers who need to isolate themselves from others.

• The B.C.-Northwest Territories border is now closed after the territories reported its first case on March 21. The patient travelled to B.C. and Alberta, and developed mild symptoms three days after returning to Yellowknife.

• The Fort St. John Farmers Market says it is working with health officials to open this season as a safe access point for fresh food.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked for the House of Commons to return sitting March 24 to introduce urgent economic measures as part of his government’s $82-billion response to support Canadians. 

Here are the latest developements for March 21:

• Airlines are beginning to cancel flights to Fort St. John. Airport officials say they anticipate more to come.

• Financial columnist Brad Brain on coronavirus and your investments: "If you have a long-term time frame, and you own high quality investments, then this is not a time to panic or mourn. This is a time of potential opportunity."

• The Liard Hot Springs are closed to ensure public health and safety.

• No one living in BC Housing buildings will be evicted because they can’t pay rent. The province is also working on a moratorium on evictions for renters who aren’t in social housing.

• BC Bus North is still rolling along northern B.C. highways but measures have been put in place. Those include additional disinfecting of buses and facilities, the use of commercial-grade sterilization foggers on the overnight cleaning of the buses, and commercial-grade air purifiers at all ticket offices.

Here are the latest developments for March 20:

• Two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Grande Prairie. There are now 17 confirmed cases in Alberta's northern health zone, including four in the High Prairie area and three in the Slave Lake area.

• An incorrect social media remark by MP Bob Zimmer sent the District of Tumbler Ridge's rumour mill cranking - but District of Tumbler and Northern Health officials note there is no positive case of COVID-19 in the district at this time.

• Dr. Bonnie Henry says all restaurants must move to takeout and delivery only.

• The PRRD offices are now closed to the public, including its offices in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, as well as the Charlie Lake Fire Hall and warehouse.

• Gun and ammunition sales are up this week in Fort St. John and across the country. 

• All courts in northern B.C. will be suspended effective March 25. Prince George provincial court will act as a "hub court" and Hearings will be limited to criminal matters involving in-custody accused and urgent family, child custody, and civil matters.

• Regarding rent payments: Li-Car says rent is still expected for now, but may change. Office hours are restricted, and tenants are asked to pay by mail or money order. Sterling Management says rent are still due. The office closed March 20, but tenants can pay by mail, money order, or use the office's mail slot. Other companies could not be immediately reached.

• Families and residents all around town have begun placing craft hearts in their windows in a show of community support and unity. 

• Northern Health is restricting eligibility for passengers using the Northern Health Connections bus service starting March 29.

• The province says provincial parks remain open, but services and facilities are suspended for most parks, including all those in the Peace region. Campgrounds will be closed at least until April 30.

• BC Transit says it will suspend bus fares for 30 days as part of its response to COVID-19.

• The District of Taylor says council meetings will proceed as planned, and front counter services are open. Social distancing is in place. District council will be reviewing the budget in the coming weeks, and seeing how it can reduce costs and lower the tax load for residents.

• In Hudson's Hope, the District Office is closed for two weeks; RCMP front desk is closed; the Library is closed for two weeks; the Museum is closed for two weeks; and the Community market is cancelled until next month

• The PRRD has closed all community facilities to the public.

Public Health

• An incorrect social media remark by MP Bob Zimmer sent the District of Tumbler Ridge's rumour mill cranking - but District of Tumbler and Northern Health officials note there is no positive case of COVID-19 in the district at this time.

• Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman is returned home Thursday from a vacation to Mexico, and will spend the next two weeks in isolation.

• Passengers on a WestJet flight to Grande Prairie on March 12 may have been at risk of exposure to COVID-19. Click here to see if you were on any of the at-risk flights.

• The Fort St. John Alliance Church says a family that attended its church service on Sunday has since gone into self-isolation. The family attended the first service on March 15, and "is exhibiting symptoms that could indicate COVID 19 and additional symptoms that could indicate the flu. These are not confirmed cases."

• Accent Dental says all appointments are cancelled until further notice. The dental clinic says six employees including all dentists were at the Pacific Dental Conference on March 7, and has been instructed by the Minister of Health to immediately self-isolate until March 21. Dr. Henry Ma attended the conference last week and is unable to perform any emergency dental treatment until at least then. Those with pain are advised to call the clinic or visit the ER.

• The College of Dental Hygienists of BC says all elective and non-essential dental hygiene services are to be suspended immediately. The FSJ Dental Clinic is closed until March 23; Alaska Avenue Dental is only taking emergencies; North Peace Dental is closed until March 30; and Blooming Smiles Dental Hygiene has been closed since last week and will be until March 30. Northern Lights Dental is closed until March 25.  

• Northern Health has placed visitor restrictions at its facilities and outpatient clinics. Hospitals will undertake only urgent and emergency procedures and will postpone all non-urgent scheduled surgeries.

• The Fort St John Hospital Foundation office is closed, and can still be reached by phone 250.793.0998, or email [email protected].

• The Ministry of Health has launched an online self-assessment tool to help residents determine whether they may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.

• Northern Health has launched a public information phone line to answer questions and concerns about COVID-19 from northern B.C. residents. The health authority says it hopes to reduce demand on ERs and other health services, and says the service will be staffed by doctors and nurses who can provide virtual screening and assessments: 1-844-645-7811.

• The Fort St. John Medical Clinic and the North Peace Primary Clinic have requested patients who have recently travelled outside of Canada or who are experiencing respiratory illness symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath) to not come directly into the clinics. Those patients are advised to phone directly for information about seeing their doctor.

Schools

• All K-12 classes have been suspended until further notice. School District 60 says it is finalizing plans to ensure student learning continues this spring after the province suspended in-class instruction for K-12 students. Superintendent Stephen Petrucci says full details will be released next week.

•  Education Rob Fleming says all students will receive final marks, and every student eligible to graduate Grade 12 this year will graduate.

• Northern Lights College says it is not aware of a single case of COVID-19 affecting the college, and will move as much programming to online delivery as possible.

• The University of Northern BC says the last day of face-to-face classes will be March 18. The semester of studies and exams will still be completed, the university said.

• The Northern B.C. Regional Science Fair scheduled April 7 at North Peace Secondary has been cancelled. "We understand all of the work that has been put into preparing for the fair by the students, sponsor teachers, mentors, parents and the committee, but prefer to err on the side of caution in regards to everyone's health," organizers said. All registration fees that have been paid to date will be returned.

• The school district has asked all students to report any international travel over the spring break and to self-isolate for two weeks upon their return to Canada. All school district field trips to Europe have been postponed, and there will be no travel to countries with a Level 2 or 3 public health travel risk.

• One North Peace Secondary student was tested for the virus after returning from a field trip to Japan. Results were negative.

City & Region

• BC Transit says it will suspend bus fares for 30 days as part of its response to COVID-19.

• In Hudson's Hope, the District Office is closed for two weeks; RCMP front desk is closed; the Library is closed for two weeks; the Museum is closed for two weeks; and the Community market is cancelled until next month

• The City of Fort St. John says the March 23 council meeting will proceed as planned, though some measures are being taken to limit public attendance amid COVID-19 health orders. The agenda includes borrowing authorization for the estimated $51.4-million new RCMP detachment, tender awards for the first phase of the Woodlawn Cemetery expansion, and the rescheduling of this year's Community Awards.

• The District of Taylor says council meetings will proceed as planned, and front counter services are open. Social distancing is in place. District council will be reviewing the budget in the coming weeks, and seeing how it can reduce costs and lower the tax load for residents.

• The PRRD has closed all community facilities to the public.

• The Taylor library is closed effectively immediately March 19.

• Peace Island Park says it is delaying its opening until May 31.

• Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman returned home Thursday from a vacation to Mexico, and will spend the next two weeks in isolation.

• All Fort St. John recreation facilities are closed effective March 18. These closures affect the Pomeroy Sport Centre, including Visitor Centre, North Peace Arena, Kids Arena Fieldhouse and the previously announced closure of the North Peace Leisure Pool.

• All District of Taylor recreation facilities are closed effective March 17. These closures include the Taylor Curling Rink, the Taylor Arena, and the Taylor Community Hall. The District is looking at options to keep the Lone Wolf Golf Club and Peace Island Park operational in the summer.

• Mayor Lori Ackerman has released an update on the first of regular calls with Health Minister Adrian Dix, Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson, and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry: "Because these cases did NOT originate within any northern community itself, under the law, Northern Health won't identify or release the location of these individuals for their privacy/protection as they are technically not a threat to public health, and to not incite panic / speculation / rumors in any one community."

• The Peace River Regional District has cancelled the Rural Area Budgets Committee meeting scheduled March 19, and the Area B Roundtable Meeting scheduled April 6 in Buick. A number of other meetings in Moberly Lake, McLeod, Farmington, and Tomslake have also been cancelled.

• The Fort St. John RCMP has suspended front counter services, including police information checks and civil fingerprinting; the Fort St. John fire department has suspended in-person services and on-site fire inspections.

• The North Peace Cultural Centre says it will close effective March 18. This includes its childcare programs. "As a public space, it is our responsibility to try to protect our community as best as we can," Executive Director Baptiste Marcere said. "I fully understand that this decision will impact families, however, since kids are mostly asymptomatic, closing the preschool and out of school care is the best solution to protect our community."

• The City says Bouncing Beans and Tumble Time at the Kids Fieldhouse have been cancelled indefinitely. Spring Break Camp, scheduled to run March 23 - 27, has been cancelled.

• The Fort St. John Public Library says it is closed effective immediately. The closure will last until at least March 31. Due dates have been extended until May 1 and no late fees will accrue.

• The North Peace Leisure Pool is closed and all programs and swimming lessons have been cancelled.

• The District of Taylor says children with symptoms of undiagnosed pain, acute cold or fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing may not attend its Spring Break camp March 16 to 20.

Community/Services

• The North Peace Pregnancy Care Clinic is closed to public, but residents can still call its 24-hour hotline for assistance: 250-262-1280.

• Demand is rising but donations are falling as the Salvation Army food bank braces for the local fallout from COVID-19.

• The North Peace Housting Society says outside visitors, other than family, close friends, and support workers, are not to enter its buildings. All social activities, including carolling, hairdressing, and the income tax clinic are cancelled. "Even though the COVID-19 threat remains low in this area, we are trying to keep our seniors healthy by limiting exposure to all pathogens," the Society said. Increased measures are in place throughout the buildings and kitchen to ensure products and protocols dealing with the prevention of infectious disease are followed. "This will enable them to better fight any illness that may pose a threat in the future."

• The Salvation Army thrift store will be closed to the public for at least two weeks. Donations are still being accepted at the back door. Those experiencing crisis will still have access to the store during a Family Services appointment.

• The Salvation Army food bank is distributing pre-made food bags based on family size. No drop-in seating or food consumption onsite. The Community Meal at The Northern Centre of Hope will be converting to bagged lunches to-go starting March 18. Community Drop-in is closed at The Northern Centre of Hope. Registered guests of the Emergency Shelter will not be impacted by any change.

• A new group called Caremongering Fort St. John has launched on Facebook. The group is a landing page for people in need during the crisis and for people looking to give a helping hand. "If anything this virus as much as it will distance us physically should be bringing us together morally and spiritually," organizers say.

• Canada Post remains open, but is advising those with symptoms to stay home.

• B.C. is reducing all court operations to help stop the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Some criminal and family case matters were already being adjourned in Fort St. John courts Monday morning. It’s expected more matters will be adjourned. Jury selection has also been cancelled everywhere in B.C. until the end of May.

• The Women's Resource Society allowing just five people in its building at a time, and there will be no drop-in after 12 p.m. The society will be open between 12 to 3 for drop-offs and appointments only.

• The North Peace Child Care Resource & Referral has cancelled all programming and put a freeze on its toy lending library until April 5. That includes the March 20 and April 3 Play Days, March 26 Storytelling, and positive discipline courses from March 31 to May 12. 

• MP Bob Zimmer says he will limit travel and remain in the riding after the House of Commons decided to shut down for five weeks to ensure MPs do not contribute to the spread.

• B.C.'s Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie is asking residents to take extra care for the elderly amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Mackenzie says that while most who will contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, it can more seriously affect the elderly. Mackenzie is also asking the public to contact their elderly friends, family, and neighbours who might need some extra help. "It could be anything from helping a senior get some groceries, taking out their garbage, bringing over a cooked meal or bringing them up to speed on the latest COVID-19 recommendations from our provincial health officer," she said.

Business

Site C

• BC Hydro says it is scaling down construction at Site C. Work to achieve river diversion this fall remains a priority, BC Hydro said. Work will also continue on Highway 29 realignments, transmission line construction, and reservoir clearing.

• There have been no confirmed cases at the work camp or construction site. 

• BC Hydro says it has been monitoring global COVID-19 developments since January, and measures are in place to limit its potential spread at the construction site and work camp.

• That includes restrictions on non-essential employee travel and the postponement of non-essential site tours, meetings, and on-site training. The camp gymnasium and theatre have also been closed, and self-serve dining stations have been eliminated. 

• The BC Building Trades Council is calling for work to be scaled down at major construction projects in the province, including Site C.

Arts & Culture

• The museum is closed to the public effective immediately March 19 and until further notice. "We will be working hard from home to catalogue artefacts; apply for grants; develop future events, exhibits, and programs; and share our history through social media (including some exciting new initiatives during this time of social distancing)." The museum can still be reached by phone or email.

• The NPCC says its Bright Nights in June event scheduled for June 12 to 14 will be rescheduled to later in the summer if needed. "We are looking forward to seeing our community celebrate together again!"

• . Tickets will be refunded and we will look to bring Minglewood to Fort St. John later this year.

• All events scheduled at the Lido have been postponed until after Easter, including the Alaska Highway News concert with the Matt Minglewood band on April 1. Contact the Lido for refunds.

• Peace Gallery North has postponed its April 3 opening of Frances Obie's exhibit, "Sky High". 

• The Fort St. John Professional Fire Fighters Association says it is putting its Annual Charity Ball on hold. "We are still a ways out from the original date of May 2 and we hope the situation will change but time will tell," the Association said. A final decision will be made by April 2.

• The North Peace Cultural Centre has cancelled the Stage North production of "Tough" (March 26 to 28), as well as the April 9 travelling production of "Spidey". The centre says it is taking extra measures to sanitize and disinfect its facility, including its out-of-school and preschool classrooms. 

• Naomi Shore has cancelled her Western Canadian Tour, calling it the responsible thing to do. Shore was to hit the road for three weeks starting with a show in Valleyview on March 20, and with stops in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Calgary, among others.

• The Peace River North Performing Arts Festival scheduled for April 18 to 26 is to go as planned. However, organizers say there may be restrictions, and the festival will take steps to comply with any provincial advisories and procedures in place at that time.

• The Encana Events Centre has cancelled or postponed all gatherings until further notice. 

Sports & Rec

• The Fort St. John Curling Club has cancelled this week's scheduled curling nights and is closing for the season. The club was set to have the men's league windup on Wednesday, March 18, and the mixed league windup on Thursday, March 19. Non-curling related events in the building that have been cancelled for March and April will be rescheduled for a later date. 

• The Fort St. John Petroleum Association has cancelled this year's Oilmen's Hockey Tournament scheduled for April 1 to 4. Fees and donations will be refunded. "We want to thank all of the members and sponsors for their continued support," the Association said.

• Fort St. John Lacrosse announced it will be keeping registration for the 2020 season open until March 31, and are pushing the start of the season back to April 7. Team practices were initially set to start March 31. There will be no late registration fees, and full refunds will be given if the association is unable to go ahead with a season.

• The Fort St. John Slow Pitch Society has postponed its AGM scheduled for March 16. The current executive will remain in their roles until the meeting can be rescheduled and an election for the 2020 executive can take place.

• The North West Junior Hockey League finals are cancelled. The Fort St. John Huskies were set to face off March 13 against the North Peace Navigators, and were the odds-on favourites to win their third-straight championship. The Huskies had their best season in 20 years in 2019-20.

• The North Peace Hockey League Finals between the Dawson Creek Canucks and the Grande Prairie Athletics has been postponed, with hopes to reschedule in April. Dawson Creek leads the series 3-2.

• Hockey Canada and B.C. Hockey have cancelled all remaining provincial hockey championships, including the Midget AA championships where the NEBC Trackers were set to defend their provincial title on March 16, as well as the Bantam and Midget Girls AA Championships (the Northeast B.C. Predators were set to compete in these tournaments).

• The Fort St. John Minor Hockey Association has closed operations for the year. The annual awards ceremony, scheduled for April 8, has been cancelled as well.

• All of the remaining Alberta Soccer Provincial Championship Tournaments, including those that the Northern Strikers teams were set to compete in this weekend, have been cancelled. That has ended the indoor soccer season.

• Wrestling Canada Lutte has postponed the 2020 U17/U19 Canadian Championships that were set to take place in Edmonton, April 3 to 5. A pair of Fort St. John wrestlers were set to make their national wrestling debut at the event.

• The 2020 Canadian Boxing Championships, scheduled for May 12 to 17 in Montreal, have been suspended by Boxing Canada. Several Fivestar Boxing Academy fighters had qualified for the event.

• The annual Kids Kin Curl Jam-Can event scheduled for March 14 has been cancelled. Curling club leagues will wrap-up as scheduled next week.

• North Peace Gymnastics has closed all programs, except Junior Olympics and Interclub, to the public until further notice.

• All Special Olympics events have been temporarily suspended.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold. They include cough, sneezing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing.

The best way to prevent potential transmission is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, avoid contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you are sick.

This is a developing story.

Send your COVID-19 updates to: [email protected].