The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Northern BC
What you need to know about COVID-19
- Northern Health public exposures and outbreaks, including schools.
- Visit the BC Centre for Disease Control for the latest information on COVID-19. Follow them on Twitter for real-time updates.
- Visit the BC COVID-19 Dashboard for the latest case counts and information on recoveries, deaths, hospitalizations, testing and more, including specific data for the Northern Health region.
Virtual clinic and info line: 1-844-645-7811
To talk to a nurse, doctor, or nurse practitioner, call the Northern Health Virtual Clinic and Info Line at 1-844-645-7811. All Northern BC residents can call this line for COVID-19 information, health advice, virtual screenings and assessments, and primary and community care services.
Virtual Clinic hours are:
- 10 am to 10 pm daily (including weekends and statutory holidays)
Testing information
Testing positive for COVID-19
If you have been told you are COVID-19 positive in Northern Health:
- Please self isolate for 10 days from the first day you felt sick
- Connect with your Primary Care Provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) or call the Virtual Clinic if you have questions or concerns
- If you don’t have a Primary Care Provider, call the Virtual Clinic and info line: 1-844-645-7811
- BCCDC self-isolation information
If you live in a household with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in Northern Health:
- If you have symptoms:
- Call the Virtual Clinic and info line for assessment: 1-844-645-7811
- BCCDC self-isolation information
- If you don’t have symptoms:
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.
Testing and results
Testing:
Testing for school-aged children (K-12)
- Information for parents and caregivers: Taking your child for a mouth rinse and gargle COVID-19 test (PDF)
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.
- COVID-19 test with a mouth rinse and gargle sample for school-aged children
- COVID-19 test with a nose swab
Asymptomatic testing
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.
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
- HealthLinkBC / or call 8-1-1, or 7-1-1 for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, if you have symptoms
- BC Centre for Disease Control
- COVID-19 BC Support App and Self-Assessment Tool
- Government of BC - Orders, Notices & Guidance
- Government of BC - Provincial Support and Information
- Government of Canada
- First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
- Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC)
- The Public Health Agency of Canada or through their telephone information line at: 1-833-784-4397
- Northern Health: Essential visitors during COVID-19 response (Novel coronavirus) policy
Mental health and substance use
Community services
Other
Child health
- Resources for families and support teams of children and youth with Neurodevelopmental diagnoses (e.g., Autism, FASD) during COVID-19 (PDF)
- A message to parents and caregivers of children (Child Health BC) (PDF)
Environmental health
Food
- Regional inventory of emergency food assets in Northern BC (PDF)
- Food Program funding opportunities (PDF)
Rural and remote and First Nations communities
Senior's health
Downloads
Latest news and information
Northern Health
Stakeholder updates
- January 13, 2021 (PDF)
- January 6, 2021 (PDF)
- December 23, 2020 (PDF)
- December 16, 2020 (PDF)
- December 9, 2020 (PDF)
- December 2, 2020 (PDF)
- November 25, 2020 (PDF)
- November 18, 2020 (PDF)
- November 10, 2020 (PDF)
- November 4, 2020 (PDF)
- October 28, 2020 (PDF)
- October 21, 2020 (PDF)
- October 14, 2020 (PDF)
- September 30, 2020 (PDF)
- September 16, 2020 (PDF)
- September 9, 2020 (PDF)
- September 2, 2020 (PDF)
- August 26, 2020 (PDF)
- August 19, 2020 (PDF)
- August 13, 2020 (PDF)
- August 5, 2020 (PDF)
- July 22, 2020 (PDF)
- July 8, 2020 (PDF)
- June 30, 2020 (PDF)
- June 24, 2020 (PDF)
- June 17, 2020 (PDF)
- June 10, 2020 (PDF)
- June 4, 2020 (PDF)
- May 28, 2020 (PDF)
- May 21, 2020 (PDF)
- May 14, 2020 (PDF)
- May 7, 2020 (PDF)
- April 30, 2020 (PDF)
- April 23, 2020 (PDF)
- April 16, 2020 (PDF)
- April 9, 2020 (PDF)
- April 2, 2020 (PDF)
- March 27, 2020 (PDF)
- March 20, 2020 (PDF)
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.