We still don't know how many test-positive cases have been detected in Eagle Ridge Hospital's current COVID-19 outbreak.
And it sounds like we may not know for as long as it's in effect.
Fraser Health has since confirmed to the Tri-City News the medicine unit is where evidence of transmission of the virus is taking place among the Port Moody facility's fifth outbreak of the pandemic.
The declaration was made on April 7, per the authority's website.
Fraser Health explains an outbreak is declared at an acute care site when at least one person — patient, resident or staff member — has been diagnosed with the virus.
It adds the most likely source of transmission is a recent visitor, another patient, resident or staff member.
Spokesperson Nick Eagland says there have been no deaths recorded from the outbreak — the first since Jan. 5 to 18, when eight infections were found among five patients and three staff members.
That took place in the elder acute-care unit, but cases in all acute-care settings are not going to be shared publicly moving forward.
"Given the nature of the circulating Omicron variant, we do not share case counts as they no longer provide an accurate reflection of how COVID-19 is impacting patients, staff, and medical staff in acute care settings," Eagland explains to the Tri-City News.
"We continue to follow all necessary protocols to contain COVID-19 outbreaks and protect patients, staff and medical staff, including the BC Centre for Disease Control’s outbreak management protocol for acute care settings."
He says Eagle Ridge Hospital's emergency department is still open amid the outbreak, adding there's been no impacts in other departments.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, there have been six deaths and 56 infections linked to the virus claimed from outbreaks at the Tri-Cities' regional hospital.
It's currently one of four active COVID-19 outbreaks across Fraser Health; the other three are in Burnaby, including two at long-term care facilities:
- Burnaby Hospital
- George Derby Centre
- St. Michael’s Centre Extended Care
VACCINE CLINICS
As of this publication (April 18), the Tri-Cities maintain a 92 and 89 per cent single- and double-vaccination rate against COVID-19 respectively among eligible residents aged five years and older.
As well, the region sits at a 57 per cent three-dose average.
Eligible residents looking to receive a vaccination against COVID-19 can do so in Coquitlam.
The Coquitlam Central SkyTrain Station's park-and-ride overflow lot is serving as the region's mass immunization and testing centre.
Its operating hours are:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Entrance off Mariner Way — east side of Rona. Proceed down the ramp and turn right
- The address will direct you to the main lot on the left but COVID-19 Services are located in the overflow lot to the right
- Do not cut through the Rona parking lot. Please follow the signs
Anyone seeking a vaccine against COVID-19 is encouraged to register via B.C.'s GetVaccinated online portal or call 1-833-838-2323.
You can also visit the province's website for more information on its COVID-19 immunization plan.
Meanwhile, a multi-vaccination clinic at the Poirier Admin Building (640 Poirier St.) is a giving parents and guardians with kids as young as four months old the chance to receive a number of different vaccinations.
This includes:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- For eligible children and adolescents aged five and older
- Tdap-IPV vaccine
- Protects against tetanus diphtheria, whooping cough and polio
- MMRV vaccine
- Protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox
