Skip to content
Join our Newsletter
  1. Home
  2. Local News

UPDATE: One new COVID-19 case, man in his 60s the third virus-linked death in Northern Health

Region's death toll increases to three, 161 new cases in B.C.
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
Dr. Bonnie Henry - May 9, 2020
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer. (via Flickr/Province of B.C.)

A third virus-linked death has occurred in northern B.C.

Northern Heath confirms to PrinceGeorgeMatters that a man in his 60s died of COVID-19 in the region among three new ones across B.C., rising the toll to 238.

No other details surrounding his death are being released.

According to B.C. Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, there were 161 positive tests for the virus recorded since Thursday's (Oct. 1) update, only one of which was detected in the north.

Our region's total now stands at 318, including 30 active cases and 285 recoveries.

"For many months now, COVID-19 has been a part of our communities. As a result, we have had to adapt and learn new ways to protect ourselves and each other," said Dr. Henry.

"Despite the uncertainty and stress that has come with this, there is much that is in our control. Take confidence in knowing that always using our layers of protection reduces our risks, helps to break the chains of transmission and keeps the virus under control."

The new provincial total of 9,381 cases includes 63 people in hospital with 16 placed in critical care and the rest in self-isolation.

This also includes 1,302 active cases, 3,114 people under active monitoring and 7,813 recoveries, which equates to 83 per cent of the total.

In Northern Health, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control's Dashboard, no one is currently hospitalized with the virus nor in ICU.

This week saw 14 new cases recorded in the authority.

A total of 21,937 tests have been conducted for COVID-19 in the north, which is 7.7 per cent out of an regional population of 285,524 (per 2019-20 Northern Health report).

As of this publication, four northern B.C. schools remain on the potential exposure list:

  • Quesnel Junior Secondary School (SD28) = Sept. 10-11 and 15-18
  • Ecole Frank Ross Elementary (SD59) = Sept. 10-11
  • Nak'albun Elementary School (Independent) = Sept. 16-18
  • David Hoy Elementary School (SD91) = Sept. 17-18

"We are all facing the same obstacle," Dr. Henry adds. 

"With kindness and compassion to friends and neighbours, and steadfast commitment to doing the right thing, we will get through this together."

In other B.C. health authorities, there are 4,791 in the Fraser region, 3,440 in Vancouver Coastal, 535 in the interior and 209 on Vancouver Island.