Northern Health COVID-19 information

COVID-19 information

The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Northern BC

What you need to know about COVID-19

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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 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

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 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

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.

Additional information about close contacts and contact tracing:

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