A spike in cases was seen relating to frostbite, chilblains, hypothermia and other weather related injuries which resulted in a busy ER for the particularly cold days.
That information was shared with CFUR News by Dr. Raina Fumerton, Medical Health Officer at Northern Health.
She describes the impact of January’s cold weather extremes on University Hospital of Northern BC’s Emergency Services.
Fumerton acknowledges that the data is not completed yet, but in a year end statement, the BC Coroners Service has reported a rise in severe outcomes, such as death.
The BC Centre for Disease Control is also in the process of compiling a report on extreme weather outcomes as well.
For more tips on how to prepare for the next cold snap, Dr. Fumerton recommends some BCCDC resources regardless of your housing situation.
