The provincial health authority has confirmed the first two cases of novel coronavirus in northern B.C.

Two people who recently returned from travel to other countries tested positive for COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal health region. They drove themselves back to their homes in northern B.C. and are self-isolating under strict orders to avoid contact with the public.

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“They are very stable and have milder illness,” said B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

The Northern Health region was the last of five in the province to have residents infected by the virus. It was not revealed where in northern B.C. the two patients live and that information won't be made public.

"To protect people's privacy the actual locations of communities where confirmed cases reside is not being identified," said Northern Health spokesperson Eryn Collins. "It's really important for people to know that anyone potentially exposed will be contacted by public health officials.

"Regardless of whether there's a confirmed case in any given community, because they are being closely watched and followed by public health officials, it does not not constitute an increased level of risk for the general population. The same health advice that is being given to people across the province still applies."

Provincial health officials, in their daily news conferences the past few weeks, have identified where the patients live but only if those patients reside in large municipalities where their anonymity can be assured.

"We will not be identifying the specific location of confirmed cases unless public health providers cannot be certain they have reached all those who need to be contacted and who therefor might be a risk to the public," said Henry, in a statement forwarded to The Citizen.

"We want people who have symptoms to contact us, and to feel safe contacting us, knowing their privacy will be protected so the steps to protect the health and safety for all can be taken. This is why privacy is important to everyone. It allows public health providers to do the work they need to do to keep everybody safe."

Nine new cases were reported in the province Friday, bringing the total to 73.

"Five cases are connected to a cluster at the Lynn Valley Care Centre, one case is linked to travel from Portugal and the remaining three cases are under investigation," said Health Minister Adrian Dix.

There has been one death attributed to the virus in B.C., a man in his 80s who was a resident of the Lynn Valley facility in North Vancouver, who died on Sunday.

"We are adapting our testing strategy to respond to the situation here in B.C. to ensure all who get sick can get the testing they need," said Dix. "We would like to be clear that testing is available for all who need it, but not everyone requires a test. If you have no symptoms, mild symptoms, or are a returning traveller and isolating at home, you do not require a test.

"We are continuing to test those who are part of an active investigation or outbreak cluster, those with severe illness who are hospitalized, residents of long-term care facilities and healthcare workers."

Groceries stores across the province have been swamped with people buying an overabundance of food and household products in anticipation the stores might run out of those items, however Dix said there is no need to stockpile.

"We ask all British Columbians to be measured in their purchase of groceries and other basic necessities," he said. "Our retail supply-chain providers have assured us they have an abundance of supply and are restocking regularly."