B.C.'s daily COVID-19 caseloads may be dropping, but positivity rates locally and provincially are still high.
Northern Health's seven-day moving average for a lab-confirmed detection of the virus is currently marked at 11.8 per cent, according to data from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
The regional authority shares that same number with Fraser Health, per the latest rate calculation on Monday (April 26), while B.C. collectively sits at 9.4 per cent.
In comparison, Island Health is at 3.2 per cent, Vancouver Coastal Health at eight per cent, and Interior Health at 7.7 per cent.
Yesterday (April 27), the province recorded 799 new cases, one of the lowest days in recent weeks, but only 8,596 tests completed, which is roughly a nine per cent positivity rate.
The recent surge prompted officials to announce new travel restrictions for B.C. residents, while also extending 'circuit breaker' measures until after the May long weekend.
The ban on non-essential travel, as announced Friday (April 23) by Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, has split the province into three regions consisting of some combined health authorities.
Under the new orders, Northern and Interior Health are unified as one region, as are Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health; Island Health stands alone, with some inter-region exceptions.
The restrictions are aimed at curbing further spread of COVID-19 within the province, have put a focus on recreational travel, Farnworth explained, and violating the ban will carry consequences.
Messaging for the past year in B.C. has been for people to "stay local," and that message remains the same despite the wide geography the combined regions offer residents as far as sanctioned movement goes within their home or neighbouring health authority.
However, leaving your own area remains discouraged, said Farnworth, offering examples like hiking, where a North Shore resident is asked to go for hikes at Grouse, and a Tri-Cities resident is asked to stick to Burke Mountain.
He added that there are some "reasonable exemptions" for what would take someone out of their home health authority region.
"We've all made great sacrifices to protect our collective health and to keep our healthcare system functioning safely. While I'm disappointed, additional measures are necessary."
If compliance measures are deemed necessary by police, fines can be handed out. At the discretion of police, a contravention of this Emergency Program Act travel order may be subject to a $575 fine.
As of this publication (April 28), Northern Health has a recorded 7,096 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases since March 2020.
There are currently 206 active cases in the north with 18 people hospitalized, six of which are in critical care or ICU.
The BCCDC says 140 people have died from the virus in Northern Health.
- with files from Lindsay William-Ross and Elana Shepert, Vancouver Is Awesome
