COVID-19 deaths increasing in Northern Health, cases continue to see slow drop

As COVID-19 cases continue to slowly decline, deaths are on the rise in Northern Health. 

According to the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence released by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) yesterday (Feb. 3), Prince George's region recorded 69 cases from Jan. 24-30, 2021. 

Peace River North saw 25 new infections and the Fort Nelson area recorded 23, while Peace River South recorded 13. 

The data shows Nechako saw eight cases; Quesnel recorded five. 

The overall authority, however, has seen a large increase in virus-linked deaths in the last week.

As of the publication (Feb. 4), 85 deaths have occurred, an increase of five from yesterday's update. Seven were recorded during a three-day reporting period between Friday (Jan. 29) and Monday (Feb. 1) and six between Monday and Tuesday.

There are currently 18 people hospitalized with all but one in critical care or ICU. 

Northern Health still holds the highest positivity rate in the province and remains the only authority in double digits. 

Northern Health's seven-day moving average of COVID-19 positivity rates. By BCCDC Dashboard

As of Tuesday (Feb. 2), the seven-day moving average for the north is at 13 per cent. 

Island Health sits at 3.1 per cent, Vancouver Coastal Health is 3.1 per cent, Fraser Health is 5.4 per cent and Interior Health at 6.5 per cent. 

B.C.'s positivity rate is 5.3 per cent. 

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is set to release a COVID-19 update after 3 p.m. this afternoon and will update the current public health orders tomorrow morning (Feb. 5).