Active cases below 150 in Northern Health

A downward trend in active cases of COVID-19 in Northern Health continued Wednesday.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control reported 146 on that front, marking the first time since late November 2020 that the count had dropped below 150.

As well, no new deaths were reported, keeping the total for the region since the pandemic broke out at 140, where it has stayed since April 26. 

However, 13 new cases were reported and while 13 people were hospitalized, compared to 34 as recently as April 9, eight people were in intensive care.

Province-wide, no new deaths were reported Wednesday. In all, 1,594 have died from the disease in B.C. while 481 individuals were hospitalized, 161 of whom are in intensive care.

As of Wednesday, 1,943,230 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 93,656 of which are second doses.

For Northern Health, the total stood at 97,510 of which 3,097 were second doses. Roughly 290,000 people live in the region.

"Getting vaccinated when it is our turn, using our layers of protection, staying small and local, and following all of the public health measures is what will see us through this storm," provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and health minister Adrian Dix said in a joint statement.

Currently all adults can register, by going online to getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca or by phoning 1-833-838-2323 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Vaccination appointments are being booked for those 54 years old and older, and all Indigenous adults.