COVID19 outbreak at Burnaby Hospital results in 55 testing positive for COVID19 and 5 deaths

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Burnaby Hospital on November 9 after evidence of transmission in a medicine unit. Upon declaring the outbreak, Fraser Health immediately implemented precautions, including enhanced cleaning, as well as contact tracing. There are currently 55 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 at Burnaby Hospital. There have been five deaths. There are also 40 staff cases that are under investigation to determine if they are connected to the outbreak.

Our sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. We continue to monitor the outbreak closely and do everything we can to support patients and staff through this outbreak. Enhanced infection control measures have been implemented in each of these units and throughout the hospital.

For instance, physical distancing measures are in place in the cafeteria to ensure staff are safely apart, our staff break rooms have limits on how many people can be there at one time, and people are encouraged to maintain physical distancing in elevators. All patients, staff, support staff and medical staff are tested for COVID-19.

As a precaution, the hospital is not accepting new admissions at this time, with the exception of the intensive care unit (ICU), maternity, and community palliative care. Patients who require hospital admissions in other areas are admitted to neighbouring hospitals. We expect to open to emergency admissions in the coming days.