COVID-19 information

Jump to: NH COVID-19 vaccine immunization clinics

What you need to know about COVID-19

Northern Health Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic: 1-844-645-7811

To talk to a nurse, doctor, or nurse practitioner, call the Northern Health Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic at 1-844-645-7811. All Northern BC residents can call this line for COVID-19 information, health advice, virtual or phone screenings and assessments, and primary and community care services.

Virtual Clinic hours:

  • 10 am to 10 pm daily (including weekends and statutory holidays)

Note: If you have any accessibility challenges, please inform the virtual clinic or call centre staff so appropriate supports and arrangements can be made.

Public Health COVID-19 phone line: 1-855-755-3555 ext. 507979

This phone number is a confidential voice mailbox only for individuals who were told directly by Northern Health they have COVID-19, or they are a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Cases and close contacts should call this phone number if they have received a voicemail from public health attempting to contact them, or if they have questions about their isolation. You will receive a call back from a staff member within 1 – 2 days, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4 pm. In order to leave a voicemail, please call with your name, date of birth, phone number, and personal heath number.

Questions related to personal health or new/worsening systems should be directed to your Primary Care Provider or the Northern Health Virtual Clinic.

Testing and self-isolation information

Testing and results

Testing:

Testing for school-aged children (K-12)

Watch a video about what you and your child can expect during a COVID-19 test. Most school-aged children who go to a collection centre can provide a mouth rinse and gargle sample. The nose swab is used for younger children or those who may not be able to follow the swish, gargle and spit instructions. Either test will accurately detect if your child has COVID-19.

Asymptomatic testing

Private testing/Testing for travel – Where to get a COVID-19 test in BC (BCCDC)

There are some private pay clinics that offer testing for a fee to people who require asymptomatic testing for reasons that fall outside of BC public health recommendations such as for travel or employment.

Please note that the following listings are provided only as a convenience and their inclusion does not constitute endorsement by the Government of British Columbia, Northern Health, or the BCCDC.

Results:

HealthELife

  • If you live in the Northern Health region and had a COVID-19 test at a Northern Health facility, you can check your COVID-19 test results online through HealthELife.
  • If you haven't signed up yet for HealthELife visit the Northern Health HealthELife page to get started. You’ll need government-issued photo ID, including your personal health number.
  • Technical support for HealthELife is available 24/7 at 1-877-767-1046.
  • Note: If your test was sent outside Northern Health for processing, your COVID-19 results may not appear in HealthELife yet. We’re currently working to address this issue. If you can’t see your results in HealthELife, check one of the other methods listed on the BC Centre for Disease Control test results  page.

My eHealth

  • You may also use My eHealth online service to receive test results if you're aged 16 or older. To use My eHealth, you will need to provide your Personal Health Number (PHN) at the clinic or collection centre when you take your COVID-19 test. You can register for My eHealth at 1-888-522-7758.
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I have COVID-19

If you have a positive test result for COVID-19:

How to self-isolate

If, at any time, you are feeling unwell and are worried this might be an emergency due to severe difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency service). Emergency departments are available to those who need them.

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I am a close contact

A close contact is generally someone who has been near a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes when health and safety measures were not in place or were insufficient. This includes up to two days before the person with COVID-19 developed symptoms.

If you have been told you are a close contact by someone with COVID-19, or by public health, you need to self-isolate for 14 days from the last date of close contact with the person with COVID-19, and monitor yourself for symptoms. If you are tested for COVID-19 during your self-isolation period and the result is negative, you still need to continue to self-isolate for the full 14 days.

If you have symptoms, call the Northern Health Virtual Clinic for assessment at 1-844-645-7811

Resources:

If at any time you are feeling unwell and are worried this might be an emergency due to severe difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency service). Emergency departments are available to those who need them.

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Resources

Trusted info

Concerns regarding compliance with the Provincial Health Officer’s orders should be directed to:

BC Govt. (non-medical) COVID-19 Helpline: 1-888-COVID19 or 1-888-268-4319
Northern Health Public Health Protection central line: 250-565-7322

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Donation information:

We are so grateful for the many offers we’ve received from individuals and organizations who want to donate protective equipment, financial support, food, and time to our health care workers and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

If you wish to donate any items, please see our Donate page for more information.

What is Northern Health doing?

  • The BCCDC and Ministry of Health are monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19, and working with provincial and federal partners of public health management, surveillance, diagnostic testing, and infection control measures with health authorities.
  • All NH sites are involved in the ongoing planning and preparation for COVID-19 response.
    • As there’s a need for our patients, staff, or visitors to change behaviours, or changes to how local health care is accessed, we are committed to keeping the community informed.
  • Northern Health has an emergency operation centre (EOC) in place to oversee the response to COVID-19. The EOC will ensure we are prepared for potential risks and issues, and that our contingency and business continuity plans are in place and ready to respond in community, acute and long term care settings. We are taking this very seriously.
  • In addition, Northern Health is taking proactive measures to maintain our stock of health care supplies and to prevent any supply disruptions. This includes filling normal inventories at sites based on historical requirements.
  • COVID-19 testing locations are operational in all communities across the Northern Health region. Please note that people are being asked NOT to go to testing locations without an appointment. Testing is available for all who need it but not everyone requires a test. 
  • This is an evolving situation here and in BC, and the country. We will be continuing to provide updates as we have them.
  • Due to COVID-19, a number of NH outpatient services (such as laboratory and diagnostic imaging) have changed their processes. We encourage patients who typically use these services to double check with the facility or department before visiting for unscheduled or drop-in services, as appointments made in advance may now be required. Find additional info on laboratory appointments.

For health professionals