Sixth COVID-19 outbreak in B.C. acute care facility, 525 cases

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Another daily total surpassing 500 COVID-19 cases in the province along with the sixth outbreak in an acute care unit has health officials urging British Columbians to slow the surge, especially in regions with the highest spread.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, in a joint statement with Health Minister Adrian Dix, announced 525 cases Tuesday and said three more people have died from the virus, bringing the province’s total to 284.

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With nearly 10,000 people under public health monitoring after coming into contact with someone who has the virus, Henry and Dix said everyone needs to help break the chains of transmission.

“A growing number of people in British Columbia are now self-isolating at home, away from their work, school, friends and family, which in turn is creating unnecessary financial and emotional strain for far too many.”

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The majority of new cases are still in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions, which are under a two-week provincial health order.

#COVID19 stats #BC Tues. Nov10 2020

Deaths 284 (+3)

Confirmed 19 239 (+525)

Active 5133

Hospitalized 142
ICU 46

Recovered 13 704 (71.2%)
Isolated 9781

Care homes 33*
Acute 6*

Health region:

5860 Vancouver Coastal(+159)
11 582 Fraser(+325)
308 Island(+7)
922 Interior(+27)

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) November 11, 2020

“The regional health authority restrictions are a short-term pause on non-essential activities to ensure we can maintain capacity within our health-care system and continue important essential activities,” the release reads. “We can turn this trend around and the time to do that is now.”

The number of active cases is still climbing in B.C., hitting 5,133.

Outbreaks in acute care 

Burnaby Hospital is now the sixth acute care facility in B.C. to have an outbreak of COVID-19, with at least five patients in one ward testing positive for the virus, according to the Fraser Health Authority.

.@Fraserhealth confirms #COVID19 outbreak at a 6th hospital in #BC.
At least 5 patients have tested positive in one medicine unit at Burnaby Hospital.
That unit now closed, but ER remains open. #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) November 10, 2020

Fraser Health confirms the unit is now closed, but the emergency room is still open.

All patients and their families have been notified.

A worker at a long-term care home in Maple Ridge also has the virus, but no word yet if anyone else has been exposed at the Holyrood Manor. The staff member is now in isolation.

Contact tracing has started while extra cleaning and safety protocols have been implemented, according to the health authority.

JUST IN: 2 NEW HEALTH CARE #COVID19 OUTBREAKS in @Fraserhealth:
Burnaby Hospital
Holyrood Manor long term care in Maple Ridge

This now makes 4 Hospitals in Fraser Health with active COVID-19 outbreaks:
Ridge Meadows (Nov. 5)
Langley Memorial (Nov. 5)
Surrey Memorial (Oct. 1)

— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) November 10, 2020

With the announcement of Burnaby, four hospitals have active outbreaks. Ridge Meadows and Langley Memorial hospitals were both declared last week, and Surrey Memorial has been dealing with its outbreak since October. 

#BREAKING 3 deaths and 525 cases of #COVID19 bring total count to 19,239 in #BC.

Of 142 hospitalized, 46 patients in critical care.

Death toll is now 284.

With 5133 active, 9781 isolating and 13,704 have recovered.

Rate drops to 71.2% from 71.7 Monday. #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) November 10, 2020

There are 142 patients in hospital with the virus, and 46 of them are in intensive care.

Meanwhile, B.C.’s state of emergency has been extended another two weeks.

Remembrance Day reminder

Ahead of Remembrance Day, Henry and Dix stressed the importance of slowing transmission of the virus over the next week weeks while still honouring veterans.

“Let’s recognize the sacrifices and hardship they faced and overcame by making our own small sacrifices right now,” the release reads.

“While the ceremonies may be remote, the poppies virtual and our legions closed this Remembrance Day, we can still show our appreciation, in a safe and respectful way, to the men and women who have proudly served our nation. Thank you to our veterans for your service and thank you to everyone in British Columbia for doing your part to protect our veterans, our Elders and communities.”

-With files from Marcella Bernardo