Northern Health issues COVID-19 alert for northeast B.C.

PRINCE GEORGE — Northern Health has issued a COVID-19 alert after identifying a recent event in Alberta where individuals may have been exposed to the virus.

“Individuals who attended the It Is Time Canada event in Deadwood, Alberta, between July 30 and August 2, are asked to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and self isolate and seek testing if they begin to exhibit symptoms,” reads the alert. “Contact tracing and testing has also identified that some individuals may be at risk of secondary transmission, from contact with cases related to attendance at the event.”

Northern Health has identified 17 lab-confirmed cases to date; 10 of which remain active cases (seven recovered); 12 of that total number are related to attendance at the event, while the remainder are believed to be from secondary exposure. Contact tracing has also identified a number of close contacts, 24 of whom are in self-isolation with active daily monitoring by public health. Northern Health says the majority of these cases are in the Fort St. John area, however the exposure alert applies to all of Northeast B.C.

Northern Health strongly encourages Northeast B.C. residents to self-monitor, and self-isolate and seek testing if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.