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COVID-19 hospitalizations in Northern Health continue to skyrocket, and health officials have had to bring in additional measures to counteract the rise in transmission.
Recently, 58 people have been transferred by plane out of the north to either hospitals to Island Health or Vancouver Health. Of those individuals 45 of them had COVID-19, all but one of them were not fully vaccinated.
For the entirety of the north, they have 40 base critical care beds, and an additional 23 surge beds have just been added to support the hospitals.
Due to the overwhelming surge in hospitalizations, 260 cystoscopies have been cancelled in Northern Health.
“When youre talking about moving 58 people out of health authorities that have 40 base critical care beds, all of them critically ill, that's a significant situation,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.
“We are all in, we have thrown everything in but the kitchen sink, and the kitchen sink went in a week ago. We are doing everything we can to support the north and we will continue to do that, but we also need to ask people in the north to do more.”
Yesterday, a young person in their 20’s passed away from COVID-19 in Northern Health.
“Unvaccinated people in their teens, but primarily in their 20s, in their 30s, in their 40s are ending up in critical care and ending up in hospital,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Additional regional health orders will be coming into place as of midnight tonight until Nov. 19 to slow the spread of transmission.
The restrictions apply to the entire Northern Health region except for an area west of Kitwanga, including Terrace because of higher vaccination rates.
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All personal gathering will be limited to fully vaccinated people, indoors it is restricted to 5 individuals and outdoors 25 individuals.
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Organized events will require a COVID-19 safety plan, ensure masks are worn, and be checked for vaccinations; indoor will be limited to 50 individuals and outdoor gatherings are limited to 100.
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Indoor dining in restaurants will remain operational for vaccinated individuals but liquor sales will be stopped at 10pm.
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Bar and nightclubs will remain closed until the restrictions are lifted.
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Indoor and outdoor sporting events are limited to 50% capacity, they must have a COVID-19 safety plan, and proof of full vaccination is required.
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Worship services must be done virtually.
Health officials are also encouraging individuals to refrain from non-essential travel until the restrictions have been lifted.
Read more about restrictions in the Northern Health region here.
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