Tragic news from Northern Health this afternoon (Feb. 2) involving two ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks.
In a statement, the authority says two more deaths have been recorded at Jubilee Lodge in Prince George, which raises the death toll to 16.
No new cases have been detected at the long-term care home; a total of 62 cases among 48 residents and 14 staff members remains.
The outbreak was originally declared at the facility on Dec. 12, 2020.
NEW - Northern Health announces two additional deaths at Prince George's Jubilee Lodge (16). These are the newest deaths since Jan. 14, 2021. There has also been another death involving the ongoing outbreak at UHNBC's Internal Medicide Unit, death toll now 9 #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) February 2, 2021
Additionally, a ninth death has taken place involving the ongoing outbreak at University Hospital of Northern BC's (UHNBC) Internal Medicine Unit.
In an update on Jan. 25, Northern Health said the death toll had risen to eight since the outbreak was formally declared on Dec. 29.
As of today, there have been 33 cases detected in the unit among 21 patients and 12 staff.
Another outbreak also continues at Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert which was declared on Jan. 19, 2021.
Northern Health says as of yesterday (Feb. 1), there have been 40 confirmed cases of the virus among 25 residents and 15 staff members.
The authority confirmed a total of nine lives have been lost, some of which took place this past weekend of the seven recorded deaths in the north since Friday (Jan. 29).
"Northern Health offers heartfelt condolences to the family and caregivers of these individuals," a statement reads.
As of this publication, the region has recorded 3,489 confirmed cases since the pandemic hit the area last March.
There are 359 active cases with 32 in hospital and 15 of those currently in ICU, while 74 lives have been lost.
Health officials say 3,046 patients have been classified as fully recovered.
Northern Health also continues to record a COVID-19 test positivity rate of more than 10 per cent.
As of Sunday (Jan. 31), the region's seven-day moving average rate sits at 12.6 per cent, keeping it as the only region in double digits
The closest authority is the Interior Health region, which currently is seeing a seven per cent positivity rate.
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) data shows Island Health at 3.3 per cent, Vancouver Coastal Health at 4.3 per cent and Fraser Health with a current rate of 5.3 per cent.
The provincial percentage sits at 5.2 per cent, that's 41 per cent lower than northern B.C.'s percentage.
The highest positivity rate recorded in our region was on Jan. 1, 2021, which stood at 17.5 per cent.
A written update will be provided by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry this afternoon at 3 p.m.
Last week, there was some encouraging news from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) for the north.
In the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Health Service Delivery Area of Case Residence report, Northern Health recorded 269 cases from Jan. 22 to 28, 2021.
The Northern Interior, Prince George included, recorded 74 cases; Northwest B.C. had the highest total with 130, while Northeast B.C. tallied 65.
From Jan. 1, 2020 to Jan. 21, 2021, the Northern Interior has recorded 1,560 cases of the virus.
