A Coquitlam long-term care outbreak has led to at least 14 COVID-19 cases and one death due to the virus despite having achieved a 95% vaccination rate during Phase one of the province’s campaign.
Of the 14 cases, 12 residents and two staff tested positive for the coronavirus. This is the second outbreak reported at Dufferin Care Centre; the first, last spring, led to four deaths and the infection of 24 residents and staff.
This time around, the rising human toll at Dufferin Care Centre is not unique in B.C., though it is increasingly less common — as of Friday, it was one of seven seniors homes battling outbreaks in the province, three of which had recorded a single death as of April 20.
But just how the virus arrived and continues to spread in the facility has not been explained by Fraser Health beyond attributing it to community transmission.
The new cases come a month after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry allowed each resident visitations with up to two adults and one child at a time.
Last week, Fraser Health confirmed to the Tri-City News it conducted initial clinics at care homes as part of Phase 1 of B.C.’s COVID-19 immunization plan and continues to vaccinate new residents at clinics established in partnership with facilities.
Any staff at long-term care or assisted living facilities who haven’t received a dose can register by telephone at 1-833-838-2323, (identifying themselves as a health care worker.)
Fraser Health also noted that residents who have not participated in on-site clinics also have the option of registering online at getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca, by telephone at 1-833-838-2323, or in-person at a BC Services Centre.
FIRST FLOOR SPARED SO FAR
Dufferin management, meanwhile, has not updated case counts and the virus’s death toll since Monday. The 12 resident cases, one death and two staff cases were reported through a BC Centre for Disease Control weekly surveillance report.
According to a note to families, management and staff are planning to resume visitations on the building’s first floor beginning April 26, provided it remains COVID-19 free. Visits will be conducted through FaceTime, window visits and in-person.
Meanwhile, health care workers continue to monitor all residents for symptoms as those residing on the second floor, where the outbreak is so far contained, remain isolated in their rooms.
Second-floor staff and residents will be tested again on Monday.
—With files from Diane Strandberg
