Northern Health update highlighting adjustments to process of notification

With the Northwest currently in the midst of an extended period of positive reports of COVID-19, Northern Health has adjusted how they process the notification and clearance of cases from requirements of self-isolation,

In an information bulletin today Northern Health the Health authority notes of their shift in resources and response for those that are being tested for the coronavirus.

December’s shift focused resources on detailed contact tracing for cases related to high-priority settings and circumstances, such as known clusters and outbreaks, health care workers, school communities, industrial projects and Indigenous communities. This work continues. 

To further streamline and improve the process, Northern BC residents who test positive for COVID-19 will now receive a single call from Public Health, during which they will be given self-isolation instructions including the date their self-isolation will end. A second call, confirming the end of self-isolation, will no longer be made. This change brings NH in line with other health authorities’ approach to case follow up. 

Northern BC residents who receive a message with a COVID-19 positive test result, should self-isolate immediately, along with those in their household, and advise their close contacts outside of the household that they should self-monitor for symptoms. Public Health will be in contact; it is important to note that with rapid options for receiving COVID-19 test results (text or SMS), many people will know their result before they get a call from Public Health.

Their notes for today also include a link to the Testing and Self Isolation protocols currently in place.

The full advisory can be reviewed here.

So far, Northern Health has not updated the state of the current outbreak at Prince Rupert's Acropolis Manor,  their last notes on the situation at the long term care facility in the city came on Friday, when they noted that thirty residents and twenty staff members had now been reported as having had positive tests for COVID.

Sadly, ten residents of Acropolis have passed away during the course of the outbreak which began in mid January. 

The latest updates on the provincial response to COVID can be explored here.

For more notes on Health Care in Prince Rupert see our Archie page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.