News

Northern Health Northern Health Medical Health Officers have declared an end to a precautionary outbreak related to the Family Medicine Unit at University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George.

The precautionary outbreak was originally declared December 3, 2020. Since that date, there has been no evidence of ongoing spread from the lab-confirmed cases that prompted the precautionary declaration.

Northern Health Medical Health Officers have declared an end to a precautionary outbreak at Gateway Lodge in Prince George.

This was the second of two precautionary outbreaks, originally declared in early December on separate units at Gateway. The first, on Cedar Wing (upper west wing, 2nd floor) ended December 10; the second, on the Special Care Unit, has also been declared over, as there is no evidence of transmission of illness on that unit since the last date of any potential exposure.

Northern Health is implementing enhanced COVID-19 precautions at Jubilee Lodge in Prince George, following lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff and residents.

Communication with Jubilee Lodge staff, residents, and families is ongoing.

NH Medical Health Officers have declared a facility outbreak. NH care facilities have implemented very clear policies and procedures for COVID-19 infection prevention and control, to lower the risk of transmission to residents, staff and physicians in a health care facility.

As of Friday, December 11, 56 employees associated with the declared outbreak at the LNG Canada Project Site in Kitimat, BC, where JGC Fluor (JFJV) is the prime contractor, have tested positive for COVID-19 (no change since the December 9 update).

A single case remains active (55 are considered recovered). Self-isolation requirements for the 55 recovered individuals have ended, and there is no one isolating at the project site.

Northern Health is pleased to advise that a COVID-19 outbreak declared in early November at Rotary Manor in Dawson Creek, is officially over. COVID-19 outbreak protocols are being lifted for the final remaining unit where the exposure risk period has now passed.

In total, there were a total of nine confirmed resident cases of COVID-19, and four staff cases. Sadly, two residents passed away in November, associated with this outbreak.

Northern Health is pleased to advise that a COVID-19 outbreak at the North Peace Seniors Housing Society apartments in Fort St. John, BC is now limited to a single building in the complex, where outbreak measures are also being downgraded.

To date, there have been 15 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 associated with the outbreak; five of those cases remain active. Sadly, one resident associated with the outbreak passed away in November.

The recent surge in lab-confirmed COVID 19 cases in the Northern Health region is putting pressure on public health case and contact management (contact tracing) resources.

The number of new people testing positive for the virus is impacting public health‘s ability to quickly contact people who have tested positive. There is currently a backlog of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, but have not yet been contacted by public health.

Northern Health has seen a recent surge in lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the region, including approximately 40 active cases in the First Nations and non-First Nations communities in the Omineca Region which includes Fort St. James. Not all COVID-19 positive individuals require medical care or transport.