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Fraser Health declares COVID-19 outbreak at Eagle Ridge Hospital

Nine patients have tested positive for coronavirus in a medical unit, however, the emergency department is open to receive patients and enhanced cleaning and contact tracing are underway
Diane Strandberg
Diane Strandberg
Eagle Ridge Hospital
Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody. | File photo

Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody after nine people tested positive with the virus.

The announcement was made via a news release late Monday (June 21) to let residents know that while an outbreak has been declared the emergency department is still open to accept patients.

According to the statement, the evidence of transmission is in a medicine/PATH (Patient Assistance and Transition to Home) unit.

Upon declaring the outbreak, Fraser Health ”immediately implemented precautions,” the statement said. 

In addition to enhanced cleaning, health officials are contact tracing with the goal protecting all staff and patients.

Fraser Health has notified all patients on the affected unit about the outbreak, and in addition, families of patients who are unable to share this information have been informed.

The health authority is also asking people to immediately get tested if they have symptoms. 

“It is critically important for people living in the Fraser Health region to get tested as soon as you have COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones,” the press release states.

“Please don’t wait, and book or drop by one of our collection centres which are operated in partnership with local Divisions of Family Practice.” 

People living in the Fraser Health region can find information about test collection centres by visiting the authority’s website. 

The outbreak is not the first for Eagle Ridge Hospital, which most recently had an outbreak in early April.

However, outbreaks are becoming less common in health facilities as vaccinations dampen the virus.

Currently, 77.3% of all B.C. adults have had a first dose of a vaccine, according to a joint statement by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.