News

Ongoing monitoring and testing has identified new cases of COVID-19 associated with a managed cluster of cases among Trans Mountain employees and contractors in the Valemount area.

As of August 27, 33 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in association with the cluster, and five of the cases are considered active at this time.

The public health investigation has determined the majority of cluster-related infections were not acquired at the site, and there is low risk of ongoing transmission of COVID-19 on site.

Ongoing monitoring and testing has identified additional COVID-19 cases associated with an outbreak declared by NH Medical Health Officers on August 16, 2021, among contracted workforces on the Site C hydroelectric dam project in Northeast BC.

To date, there have been 62 lab-confirmed cases in several clusters of COVID-19 activity amongst primarily unvaccinated workers in association with this outbreak; 19 cases are currently considered active.

Northern Health Medical Health Officers continue to work with Trans Mountain, to manage a cluster of COVID-19 cases among employees and contractors in the Valemount area.

As of August 20, 32 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in association with the cluster, and 24 of the cases are considered active at this time.

There has been an increase in overdose events in the communities of Terrace and Smithers. The reported substance is a deep blue crystal, sold as “heroin”. When cooked, the substance turns purple.

Northern Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak among contracted workforces on the Site C hydroelectric dam project in Northeast BC. This follows lab-confirmed cases and clusters of COVID-19 among employees across the site operations, and evidence of on-site transmission among workers.

Northern Health Medical Health Officers are working with Trans Mountain, to manage a cluster of COVID-19 cases among employees and contractors in the Valemount area.

To date, 16 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in association with the cluster, and the cases are considered active at this time. There are approximately 50 close contacts in self-isolation.

Ongoing challenges with physician and nursing staff coverage are expected to require intermittent planned diversions of the emergency department at Dawson Creek & District Hospital, between August 8 and 14, 2021.

The diversions are necessary to ensure safe patient care, and adequate relief for existing staff. The emergency room is the only department affected during periods of diversion. The rest of the hospital will remain open, and current inpatients will not be impacted.

TERRACE - Residents and communities in northwestern B.C. are being supported with rapid response from a new Northwest Specialized Response Team (SRT) for those facing mental health and substance use challenges.

"People in northern B.C. need and deserve access to vital addiction and mental health supports," said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. "I'm grateful to see the co-operation of so many to create a system of care that meets the needs of people in each community."