News

Northern Health’s Prince George COVID-19 testing collection centre is moving to a new location in Parkwood Place Shopping Centre.

To date, COVID-19 testing has been available at the Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre, #143 Parkwood Place, 1600 15th Avenue. Effective Wednesday October 14, 2020, the new location will be #175-1600 15th Ave (near the Cineplex theatre).

The new testing location will allow for appointment-based testing to be available seven days per week, from 8 am to 4 pm. 

Northern Health is advising anyone who used the services of Prince George Taxi on October 2nd or 3rd, between the (overnight) hours of 6  pm to 6 am, that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Public health officials are asking people who traveled by PG Taxi during this time period, to take extra care to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 until October 17th (14 days from the last date of possible exposure). Public health contact tracing is underway and, where possible, NH is reaching out directly to individuals who have been exposed.

People in Prince George will benefit from public healthcare in a modern medical setting, as the Province has approved the concept plan for a new patient care tower, including a new cardiac care unit, at University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC).

Northern Health is reminding residents about the importance of ensuring safe and small gatherings, heading into the Labour Day long weekend.

The recent trend of increasing COVID-19 cases, many linked to large gatherings and other social interactions, has also been noted in the NH region. The Northeast health service delivery area (HSDA) is currently the most active in terms of new cases being identified through testing and contact tracing. And a COVID-19 public exposure alert, for recent events and gatherings in the Prespatou region, remains in effect.

In addition to the news that Northern Health has awarded the contract for the redevelopment of the GR Baker Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit, construction of a new kitchen at the Hospital will begin this fall.

True Construction Ltd. of Kamloops, the team working on the larger Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit project, will begin construction of the modern kitchen facilities in September 2020, with expected completion in April 2021.

Northern Health, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), and the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority (NVHA) are working closely following community notification of a suspected COVID-19 exposure in the Nass Valley.

Nisga’a Valley Health has requested that all attendees at recent gatherings between August 21st and 25th, contact the NVHA Clinic in their community to identify as a potential contact.

Northern Health is pleased to announce that the contract for Phase II construction on the GR Baker Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit redevelopment has been awarded to True Construction Ltd. of Kamloops.

True Construction will begin construction work on the redevelopment project in September 2020, with expected occupancy in Spring 2022.

COVID-19 testing and contact tracing has allowed Northern Health to identify recent events and gatherings in the Prespatou region where individuals may have been exposed to COVID-19 but we are unable to identify and follow up with all contacts.

Individuals who may have attended any events, service, or gatherings (however large or small) in the Prespatou region where social distancing or appropriate masking was not in place or being observed since early August are asked to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if they begin to exhibit symptoms.