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

City Council has approved the purchase of 16 connecting parcels of land in Newton.

City Council has approved the purchase of 16 connecting parcels of land in Newton.
15 of the 16 properties at King George Blvd and 70A Ave currently sit vacant and include the site of the former Rona Revy home improvement centre. Future development of these lands would be subject to funding availability and a public consultation process.

City Council has approved the purchase of 16 connecting parcels of land in Newton.

His Holiness Swami Pushkarananda of Toronto arrested for sexual assault of a young girl in the 90s.

His Holiness Swami Pushkarananda of Toronto arrested for sexual assault of a young girl in the 90s.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, His Holiness Swami Pushkarananda, 68, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with: 1. Sexual Exploitation of a Young Person 2. Sexual Assault. 

His Holiness Swami Pushkarananda of Toronto arrested for sexual assault of a young girl in the 90s.

Think tank urges China to release Kovrig

Think tank urges China to release Kovrig
Meng, who has denied any wrongdoing, is now facing possible extradition to the U.S. while Chinese authorities have indicted the two Michaels on what many observers believe are trumped-up spying charges.

Think tank urges China to release Kovrig

September inflation rates, by Canadian city

September inflation rates, by Canadian city
Canada's national annual inflation rate was 0.5 per cent in September, Statistics Canada says.

September inflation rates, by Canadian city

WATCH: Domestic Fight In Surrey leaves Toddler Stabbed & Woman Dead

WATCH: Domestic Fight In Surrey leaves Toddler Stabbed & Woman Dead
WATCH: A woman has died of a stabbing that took place In the Newton neighborhood of Surrey involving a toddler Tuesday evening. A man has been arrested by police. All members are from the same family.

WATCH: Domestic Fight In Surrey leaves Toddler Stabbed & Woman Dead

Pandemic pushes Canada closer to NATO target

Pandemic pushes Canada closer to NATO target
New NATO figures released Wednesday show that largely thanks to the pandemic, Canada is poised to spend the equivalent of more of its gross domestic product on defence this year than at any point in the past decade.

Pandemic pushes Canada closer to NATO target