Fraser Health is reporting outbreaks of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at three hospitals in Metro Vancouver.
On Nov. 17, the health authority included the outbreak at Surrey Memorial Hospital at the top of its current outbreaks list.
On Nov. 18, the Fraser Health Authority added an outbreak at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster and Langley Memorial hospital to the list.
In a news release, the health authority states that it declared the outbreak at Royal Columbian Hospital after evidence of transmission in a Medicine unit. One staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. The outbreak is limited to one unit, which is temporarily closed to admissions.
Upon declaring the outbreak, Fraser Health immediately implemented precautions, including enhanced cleaning, as well as contact tracing to protect the health of all staff, medical staff, and patients.
The emergency department at Royal Columbian Hospital remains open and there has been no impact to any other areas of Royal Columbian Hospital.
Langley Memorial Hospital Outbreak
Two staff members at Langley Memorial Hospital long-term care have tested positive for COVID-19. The staff members work in the Cedar Hill and Rosewood residences that are owned and operated by Fraser Health.
A Fraser Health rapid response team is at the site and communication with residents and families is underway. The staff members are currently in self-isolation at their homes.
Enhanced control measures have been put in place at the sites. Fraser Health is working with staff to identify anyone who may have been exposed and is taking steps to protect the health of all staff, residents and families.
Active Outbreaks in the Fraser Health Region
The current active outbreak list is updated when new outbreaks are declared. When an outbreak is over, the facility is removed from the list.
Fraser Health asks all visitors to use our hand hygiene stations when they enter and exit its facilities, particularly if there is a reported outbreak.
- If you have any of the following, please do not visit at this time:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Cough or flu-like symptoms
- Fever
- Rash
If you are visiting someone who is located on an outbreak unit, visitors may be limited to two people at a time. Fraser Health asks that you do not visit other patient rooms or common areas on the unit such as the lounge and patient kitchenette. It also recommends you don’t visit public areas in the hospital such as the cafeteria and gift shop.
COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets when a person who is sick coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread when a healthy person touches an object or surface (e.g. a doorknob or a table) with the virus on it, and then touches their mouth, nose or eyes before washing their hands. Most people who get COVID-19 have only mild disease, but a few people can get very sick and may need to go to hospital. The symptoms of COVID-19 may include fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of smell and/or diarrhea.
--With files from the New Westminster Record.
