COVID-19 public exposures
A public exposure (alert) is issued when public health officials are unable to ensure they can identify and directly contact everybody who may have been exposed to a potentially infectious case of COVID-19 in a public setting where they may have been in close contact. NH will update this public exposures page with information if and when there is a possible exposure to COVID-19 to the public in our region. To date, we have not had any such circumstances in our region.
The possible exposures listed on this site are believed to be low risk but, out of an abundance of caution, Public Health asks anyone who may have visited any of the locations listed on the specified dates and times to monitor themselves for symptoms.
There is no known risk to anyone who attended any listed locations outside of the specified dates and times. If people remain healthy and do not develop symptoms, there is no need to self-isolate and people can continue with their usual daily activities. If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, please self isolate and contact the COVID-19 Online Clinic and Information Line for Northern BC residents: 1-844-645-7811, or contact your primary care provider. If you have been identified as a COVID-19 case or close contact, please know that NH Public Health will contact you directly and provide further instruction.
| City/Town: | Location: | Address: | Potential exposure date: | Potential exposure time: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None to date |
Last Updated: 28 July, 2020
For any other COVID-19 information, visit our Coronavirus Information (COVID-19) page.
COVID-19 community/facility outbreaks
The following list includes any outbreaks of COVID-19 declared in Northern Health region communities or facilities. (For information on non-COVID-19 outbreaks in NH facilities, please see below). As with public exposures, please remember that if you have been identified as a COVID-19 case or close contact, NH Public Health will contact you directly and provide further instruction.
| City/Town: | Facility/Unit: | Outbreak type: | Date declared: | Date declared over: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haida Gwaii | N/A | Community outbreak | July 24, 2020 |
Last Updated: July 28, 2020
Non-COVID-19 community/facility outbreaks
Outbreaks of non-COVID-19 illnesses/infectious diseases, such as respiratory infections (e.g. influenza), gastrointestinal illnesses (e.g. norovirus), and Clostridium difficile (C.diff), in any hospitals, long-term care facilities, other health facilities within the Northern Health region, or those that are licensed under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, are included here.
An outbreak occurs when more than two people have the same illness that can be linked back to one source or cause. The medical health officer determines when an outbreak will be declared. For C. difficile, an outbreak is declared when the number of cases increases above what is normally experienced.
Please note that the threshold for declaration of an outbreak is not extremely high (i.e. it takes only a handful of cases of illnesses for us to declare an outbreak), so that we can control and end an outbreak early, before it can affect more people.
If you are intending to visit a facility listed below, please consider postponing your visit until the outbreak is over, in order to help keep you and your loved ones healthy.
| City/Town: | Facility/Unit: | Outbreak type: | Date declared: | Date declared over: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None to date |
Last Updated: July 28, 2020
Please note these may not be updated in real-time.
What should I do when an outbreak occurs?
The best way to prevent the spread of infections is to wash your hands, practice proper sneeze/cough etiquette, and to get an annual flu shot. We also encourage you to stay home if you are or have recently been ill.
Please avoid visiting an affected facility during an outbreak. If the situation is urgent and you must visit the facility, please ensure you are feeling well, and speak to staff about any precautions that may be necessary.
- Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand rub product when visiting and when you leave.
- Follow instructions given by staff.
- Look for signs with further instructions.
How does Northern Health respond to an outbreak?
We have strict infection control practices that follow provincial guidelines which we adhere to when an outbreak is declared.