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Interior Health dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks in Williams Lake, Kamloops

Lone Sheep Publishing
By Lone Sheep Publishing
January 14th, 2021

Interior Health is dealing with not one, but two recent COVID-19 19 outbreaks in the region.

Interior Health announced Wednesday an outbreak has been declared at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake and Brocklehurst Gemstone Care Centre, a long-term care home in Kamloops.

Interior Health said at Cariboo Memorial Hospital there is no evidence of patient exposure related to this outbreak, however, four staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.

“Interior Health would like to assure the community that it is safe to come to the hospital for medical care when it is needed,” the media release said regarding the Cariboo Memorial Hospital outbreak.

“A team including infection control practitioners, microbiologists, medical health officers and communicable disease specialists are overseeing the site to ensure all safety protocols are in place.”

“Contact tracing on confirmed cases is ongoing,” Interior Health added. “All cases and direct contacts are self-isolating.”

Meanwhile, at Brocklehurst Gemstone Care Centrefour residents have tested positive for COVID-19.

“Everyone in close contact with these individuals are in self-isolation and monitoring for symptoms,” Interior Health said.

Interior Health said Gemstone is privately operated by Trellis Seniors Services Ltc. and has 125 publicly funded and five private long-term care beds.

Interior Health will continue to monitor the situation, while implementing additional infection control and preventive measures.

Interior Health said there is no indication of a connection to other facilities in Kamloops.

Wednesday, Interior Health announced 84 new COVID-19 cases in the region.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, reported 519 new cases, including six epi-linked cases, for a total of 59,072 cases in British Columbia.

However, Dr. Henry said there were 12 new COVID-19 related deaths in the province — four of those in Interior Health at Sunnybank in Oliver; Creekside Landing in Vernon and two new deaths at McKinney Place in Oliver. 

The increase raises the number of deaths in Interior Health to 44.

“Interior Health is sad to report four additional COVID-related deaths connected to outbreaks in long-term care facilities,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health.

“I want to offer our condolences to all the families and caregivers.”

Brown said Interior Health continues to see COVID-19 activity in many areas of the southern Interior and urges the public to please remain vigilant in following the COVID-19 precautions.

  • keep to your household bubble,
  • stay home when you are sick,
  • practise physical distancing,
  • wear a mask
  • wash your hands often.

Update on outbreaks:

  • Outbreak declared at Cariboo Memorial Hospital with four staff connected to this outbreak. **IB attached
  • Canim Lake has 44 cases linked to the outbreak.
  • Sunnybank long-term care in Oliver has 25 cases: 18 residents and seven staff, with one death connected to this outbreak.
  • Creekside Landing long-term care in Vernon has 16: 11 residents and five staff, with one death connected to this outbreak.
  • Williams Lake Seniors Village has two cases: one resident and one staff.
  • Noric House long-term care in Vernon has 37 cases: 24 residents and 13 staff
  • Heritage Square long-term care in Vernon has 52 cases: 40 residents and 12 staff, with five deaths connected to this outbreak.
  • Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna has 45 cases: 40 residents and five staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak.
  • Teck mining operations remains at 16 IH cases linked to the outbreak.
  • McKinney Place long-term care in Oliver has 78 cases: 55 residents and 23 staff, with 17 deaths connected to this outbreak.
  • Village by the Station long-term care in Penticton has 10 cases: five residents and five staff, with one death connected to this outbreak.
  • Mountainview Village long-term care in Kelowna has 16 cases: eight residents and eight staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak.

Categories: GeneralHealth

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