No new COVID-19 cases in Northern Health, B.C. reaches 100 deaths

Northern Health has no new test-positive cases of COVID-19, but the province, as a whole, saw one of its largest spikes in recent weeks.

In today’s (April 25) update, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 95 new cases across B.C. in the last 24 hours for a grand total of 1,948.

The province has also reached 100 deaths after two new ones were recorded.

Of the new numbers, 96 people are in hospital, 41 are in ICU and 1,137 cases have recovered.

The northern region remains at 42 cases, including 33 that have recovered, three in hospital and three in critical care.

"Part of the reason we've had such a dramatic jump in cases today is related to the community outbreaks that we've been investigating," Henry said.

Sixteen of the new cases are related to the ongoing outbreak at Superior Poultry, a chicken processing plant in Coquitlam.

Meanwhile, the amount of positive cases related to the initial outbreak announced earlier this week at United Poultry Company Ltd., a Vancouver processing plant, remains steady at 35.

Eleven cases connected to the Kearl Lake project in Alberta have been confirmed to date.

Dr. Henry stresses the importance of getting help to those who need it most, especially when it comes to domestic and relationship violence while in isolation.

She says, when it comes to those situations, social distancing isn't as important as someone's personal safety.

Dr. Henry also encourages everyone to be kind to people who have to continue to work during the pandemic, such as those working in grocery stores, pharmacies, and in health care.

She adds that isolation can be challenging, and that anyone who has an underlying illness should contact a doctor through virtual care.

She mentions Anxiety Canada and Bounceback BC as useful resources for mental health.

In a previous briefing, Henry noted that people should consult the province's online assessment tool if they aren't sure if they require further testing or assessment for COVID-19.

She also underscored the importance of physical distancing, hand washing, covering your mouth if you cough, not touching your face and staying home if you are sick.

In other jurisdictions, there are 778 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 853 in Fraser Health, 115 on Vancouver Island and 160 in Interior Health.

- with files from Megan Lalonde, Vancouver Is Awesome