COVID-19 positivity rate causing concerns in Northern Health

For perspective, the peak of the pandemic to this point in the Fraser Health region saw a COVID-19 positivity rate of 10.7%.

Northern Health says that some of the reasons for the elevated positivity rate for COVID-19 cases aside from more cases of the virus being transmitted in the community.

Northern Health says some of those could be more targeted testing in known clusters of the virus, or the opposite if there is less testing occurring in some regions which are all dependent on who needs testing for the virus.

The criteria for who needs to get tested for the virus are consistent throughout the entire province.

Collins says the best and most effective thing that everyone can do is follow public health advice, and closely self-monitoring for symptoms no matter what your circumstances, and seek testing if needed.

The elevated positivity rate is something to keep in mind which could eventually affect hospitalization numbers across the region.

BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said repeatedly that the hospitalization numbers lag behind elevated case counts, meaning it could still be too soon to tell if Northern Health will see increased hospitalizations due to the positivity rate.

The trend for the rate is positive though, on January 27th, the positivity rate for Northern Health was only 13.6%, dropping yet another percentage point to 12.6% on January 28th.

by Caden Fanshaw

COVID-19 positivity rate causing concerns in Northern Health

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