2nd COVID-19 outbreak declared at Vancouver long-term care home, 105 new cases

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — A Vancouver long-term care home is dealing with its second COVID-19 outbreak as the province announces 105 new cases.

On Tuesday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Deputy Minister of Health Stephen Brown, reported the new outbreak at the Haro Park Centre Society, bringing the total of outbreaks in long-term care homes and assisted-living facilities to 14.

In May, when the first outbreak at the long-term care home was declared over, Henry said it was the province’s first and most difficult outbreak.

The province is also recording 105 new cases, including three epi-linked cases with one COVID-19 related death.

“Currently, 69 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, 20 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation,” the health officials said in the release.

Here are the basics of today’s #COVID19 numbers
1 death- 234 total
102 new cases
3337 monitored
69 hosp/20 icu#bcpoli pic.twitter.com/FC1T2nUwtC

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) September 29, 2020

There is a total of 1,268 active cases, 234 deaths in B.C., and 7,485 people who tested positive have recovered.

Due to exposure around the province, there are also 3,337 people under active public health monitoring after coming in contact with someone who had the virus.

RELATED: 

• Thanksgiving gathering still on the table in B.C., says top doctor

• PM Trudeau says second COVID-19 wave in Canada underway

• B.C. can celebrate Halloween during COVID-19 pandemic, says top doctor

With Thanksgiving approaching, Henry and Brown said British Columbians are still being encouraged to keep a safe physical distance, remember the basics and avoid travelling to see friends.

“We have had to change our special celebrations and gatherings to keep the people we care about safe. This same approach is how we need to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Rather than travelling to see friends or hosting a large family dinner, make it small this year and plan to connect virtually instead,” Henry and Brown said.

“Although this may not be what we want to do, let’s not lose sight of the fact that by making these sometimes difficult choices now, we will be healthier and stronger tomorrow. By choosing to stay home and stay small, we are reducing the potential for transmission of COVID-19 and protecting the people in our family and community who are most at risk.”

Also worth noting the province has extended its state of emergency again. This time it goes to Oct. 13, 2020.

— Ria Renouf (@riarenouf) September 29, 2020

Meanwhile, the state of emergency has been extended again until Oct. 13.