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By Caden Fanshaw

COVID-19

Concerns raised about COVID-19 cases in vulnerable population

Jan 27, 2021 | 4:51 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – There are growing concerns from a social service advocate as Northern Health reported a COVID-19 exposure in a shelter downtown Prince George.

“Where there is one case, there could be more depending on the amount of people that person came into contact with,” says Murry Krause.

The concerns come as more people will be heading towards shelters to try and warm up as temperatures in Prince George drop to their coldest this winter season.

Krause says he is worried there are people on the streets that are not getting tested and others who don’t have the ability to protect themselves the same way as the rest of the population.

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In the Lower Mainland reports of data collected by the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre suggest up to half the population of the Downtown Eastside may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Northern Health says they do not know of any monitoring or tracking of the marginalized population here in Prince George.

“We are, of course, concerned for not only our recent rates of COVID-19 in the region, but for the health and well being of people who evidence has shown can be disproportionately vulnerable to, and experience complications from, the effects of COVID-19. Some people have an increased chance of developing severe illness or complications from COVID-19 including older people and those with chronic health conditions, and being unsheltered can and does increase risk of covid-19 infection, and exacerbate some of these conditions,” says Northern Health Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Jong Kim.

According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, the vulnerable populations such as those who live on the streets are at an increased risk from the virus.

Murry Krause confirmed that there are places that the marginalized population can go to self-isolate if need be, the location is unknown at this time.

Krause says he is confident in the current health safety plans in place at shelters around the city and expects any issues or problems.