PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. -- B.C..'s top doctor has announced new restrictions for a wide swath of the province's Northern Health region, as COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly.

For everywhere in the region east of Kitwanga, all personal gatherings are restricted to only those who are fully vaccinated and limited to 5 people indoors and 25 outdoors.

Bars and night clubs will be closed, and restaurants must stop alcohol sales at 10 p.m.

In-person worship services are cancelled, and organized events require a safety plan, masks and proof of full vaccination.

The new restrictions will continue until November 19th.

Henry says a "circuit breaker" is necessary because the delta variant spreads faster and causes more severe illness, and hospitals in much of the north are struggling.

"We're seeing hospitals and ICUs filling up with young, otherwise healthy individuals struggling to breathe with COVID-19," she said.

"This is affecting not only the people who have COVID-19 and their ability to get care - it's now a challenge for everybody in our community. So we need to take additional actions. "

Henry says one person in their 20s died in the Northern Health region from COVID-19 yesterday.

Areas not affected by the new restrictions are those west of kitwanga. These include Terrace, Kitimat, Nisga'a, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, Snow Country, Stikine and Telegraph Creek.

Northwestern communities that will be affected by these new restrictions include Hazelton, Smithers, Witset, Telkwa, Houston and Burns Lake.