Close X
Sunday, December 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Fraser Health opening new COVID-19 testing centre

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Nov, 2020 10:37 PM
  • Fraser Health opening new COVID-19 testing centre

Another COVID-19 testing centre is being opened in the Fraser Health region, the epicentre for British Columbia's rising case counts.

Fraser Health president Dr. Victoria Lee says most of their latest infections are linked to other known cases and clusters, indicating public health officials are identifying and following up with people to curb the spread of the illness.

The newest centre will be open by Nov. 12 in North Surrey and will process between 500 and 800 tests each day with people dropping in or booking an appointment.

Of the 1,120 people who tested positive over three days ending Monday in B.C., 830 of them were in the Fraser Health region.

There are 2,315 active infections in Fraser Health and Lee says public health workers have followed up with more than 29,000 of their contacts.

Lee reiterated public health messaging that even small gatherings are risky and the so-called "safe six" contacts should also be the same six people.

Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin, chief medical health officer for Fraser Health, added the health authority has ordered and distributed 30 per cent more influenza vaccine this year than it did last year.

"We are actively working with the province to secure more vaccine and that is on its way," she said.

There are now 30 known cases of COVID-19 associated with a dance studio in Chilliwack, said Brodkin, noting there have been some exposures but no transmission within schools in the area as a result of that outbreak.

"One of the things that we have observed (is) that large groups of people exercising together, whether that's in a gym or another setting, does appear to be a higher-risk setting for COVID-19 spread and therefore we will be looking closely at these settings over the coming days and weeks," she said.

The dance studio had a COVID-19 safety plan in place, Brodkin said.

MORE National ARTICLES

WATCH: IS IT TIME TO MAKE MASKS COMPUSLORY IN PUBLIC PLACES?

WATCH: IS IT TIME TO MAKE MASKS COMPUSLORY IN PUBLIC PLACES?
WATCH- Covid19 cases seems to be exploding in BC, with 817 NEW CASES — the largest number of new cases in the province in a three-day period. IS IT TIME TO MAKE MASKS COMPUSLORY IN PUBLIC PLACES?

WATCH: IS IT TIME TO MAKE MASKS COMPUSLORY IN PUBLIC PLACES?

U.S. vote could affect Canada's immigration plans

U.S. vote could affect Canada's immigration plans
A new poll by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies suggests Canadians are feeling skittish about any planned increases to immigration next year, after months of low numbers of new arrivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. vote could affect Canada's immigration plans

Canada-U. S. refugee pact remains in place for now

Canada-U. S. refugee pact remains in place for now
In a new ruling, Federal Court of Appeal Justice David Stratas has sided with the Trudeau government in extending the life of the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Canada-U. S. refugee pact remains in place for now

Feds split housing funds between big cities

Feds split housing funds between big cities
Canada's biggest city, Toronto, will get the lion's share of that funding pie with about $203 million.

Feds split housing funds between big cities

Trudeau says pandemic 'really sucks'

Trudeau says pandemic 'really sucks'
Acknowledging frustrations around partial lockdowns and scrapped Halloween plans in some parts of the country, Trudeau said Tuesday that Canadians need to gird themselves for a "tough winter ahead."

Trudeau says pandemic 'really sucks'

Watchdog urges pause on assisted death in prisons

Watchdog urges pause on assisted death in prisons
Federal correctional investigator Ivan Zinger says there are three known cases of doctor-assisted death in federal prisons and each raises questions around consent, choice and dignity.

Watchdog urges pause on assisted death in prisons