21.31°C Vancouver

Aug 17, 2020 6:10 PM -

Health officials in northeast B.C. warn of COVID-19 exposure at religious event

Share On

The health authority in northern British Columbia has issued an alert after more than a dozen people tested positive for COVID-19.

The alert says the outbreak is linked to a religious gathering held between July 30 and Aug. 2 in Deadwood, Alta. Anyone who attended the It Is Time event is asked to monitor themselves, self-isolate and seek testing if any COVID-19 symptoms develop.

Northern Health says 17 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been identified so far, with 12 related to attendance at the event and the other five linked to secondary exposures.

Most of the cases are in Fort St. John, but the authority says the exposure alert applies to all of northeastern B.C.

The province had 4,358 cases in the last report on Friday, up 84 in an increasing infection rate that had Health Minister Adrian Dix warning that bylaw officers would be watching for those breaking the rules around social events.

Latest news

gordie-howe-international-bridge-sees-7-500-vehicle-crossings-in-first-12-hours
CanadaJul 29, 2026

Gordie Howe International Bridge sees 7,500 vehicle crossings in first 12 hours

Approximately 7,500 vehicles crossed the Gordie Howe International Bridge during the first 12 hours after the new Canada–U.S. border crossing opened to traffic, according to bridge officials. The bridge officially opened on Monday. The first private vehicle to cross carried members of hockey legend Gordie Howe's family, while an Onfreight Logistics truck became the first commercial vehicle to use the new crossing. Most of the traffic on opening day consisted of private and local vehicles. Officials said many commercial truck operators are still completing the required customs and border docu
AlbertaJul 29, 2026

Edmonton sets record for wettest summer before August begins

Edmonton has already recorded its wettest summer on record before the start of August, following weeks of persistent rainfall that has caused localized flooding and forced the cancellation of several events across the city. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Edmonton had received 580 millimetres of precipitation by Tuesday morning. The total surpasses the previous summer record of 417 millimetres, set between June and August in 1953. Environment Canada says Edmonton typically receives an average of 213.3 millimetres of precipitation during the three-month period from June thro
BCJul 29, 2026

Richmond homeless camps near Highway 99 raise safety concerns over jet fuel pipeline

Homeless encampments located along both sides of Highway 99 in Richmond are raising public safety concerns, with one of the sites situated directly above a newly installed jet fuel pipeline. According to Richmond City Councillor Kash Heed, multiple fires have been reported at the encampments, increasing concerns about the potential risk of an explosion. Heed also said dozens of edged weapons, including swords and machetes, have been seized from the camps over the past year. The councillor said the land is under the jurisdiction of the British Columbia government and alleged the province has no
carney-smith-to-announce-alberta-homebuilding-initiative-during-red-deer-visit
FeaturedJul 29, 2026

Carney, Smith to announce Alberta homebuilding initiative during Red Deer visit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to join Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Red Deer on Wednesday to announce a new joint initiative aimed at accelerating homebuilding across the province. According to the Prime Minister's Office schedule, Carney and Smith will outline the housing program before touring a residential construction site in Red Deer. Additional details about the initiative were not available before the announcement. The visit also includes a stop at a canola farm, where Carney is expected to meet with local farmers. Housing has been a key priority for the federal government
CanadaJul 29, 2026

Navdeep Bains leads Ontario Liberal leadership race in fundraising

Former federal Industry Minister Navdeep Singh Bains has emerged as the top fundraiser in the Ontario Liberal Party leadership race, according to the latest financial disclosure reports from Elections Ontario. The filings show Bains' campaign has raised approximately $350,000 in donations, placing him ahead of Etobicoke–Lakeshore MPP Lee Fairclough, whose campaign has reported raising about $258,200. According to Elections Ontario, the fundraising advantage positions Bains as one of the leading contenders in the race to succeed the party's current leadership. Fundraising totals are widely vi

Related News