Surge of COVID-19 in Fraser region mainly due to private gatherings: health authority CEO

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A renewed call to keep group gatherings to no more than six people was prompted by surging COVID-19 cases in the Fraser Health region, which has the bulk of the province’s infections.

“We’re at a point that we do need to do even more than what we have done to ensure we bend the curve again,” says Dr. Victoria Lee, the CEO of the Fraser Health Authority.


She confirms recent superspreader events have been linked to private gatherings, including weddings lasting more than one day and funerals.

“Some gatherings have been reported to some of those municipalities, then follow-up occurred through bylaw or local police. If you meet with a different small group every day or weekend, COVID will spread. We have seen that with private gatherings and weddings.”

Lee adds 70 per cent of all cases in B.C. are in the Fraser Health region, and enforcement has been stepped up as a result.


Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also noted recent clusters have been linked to weddings, funerals, and celebrations of life. 

Outbreaks linked to workplaces and community sports are also a cause for concern, Lee says.

“We are seeing transmissions in different types of households and different types of events,” Lee says. “Complaints have led to some of the investigations, as well as closures and additional training education. Again, I’d like to emphasize that almost everybody is doing the right thing.”

Related stories:

She adds there are no immediate plans to shut down any recreational facilities linked to outbreaks involving hockey leagues and other community sports, but she isn’t ruling it out.

“Right now, we’re focused on how can we maximize those positive interactions and minimize impact in terms of COVID transmissions.”

With nearly 1,500 active cases in the region, Lee says work continues to expand testing capacity, to keep wait times at a minimum.

B.C. recorded more than 200 COVID-19 infections for two days in a row this week while also setting a new record. A few days earlier, Henry officially declared the province is in its second wave of COVID-19.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today