More COVID-19 cases at Coquitlam poultry plant, outbreaks at two Abbotsford care homes

COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) — Two long-term care facilities in Abbotsford have COVID-19 outbreaks, while the number of cases at Superior Poultry Processors in Coquitlam is up to 25, the Fraser Health Authority confirmed Monday.

Superior Poultry Processors was closed by Fraser Health on Friday after two employees there tested positive for the virus. That prompted the screening of all employees. As of Saturday, 18 had tested positive.

Superior is owned by the same company as United Poultry in Vancouver, which was closed earlier last week after dozens of employees there initially tested positive for the virus.

Provincial officials have said employees were working at both the Coquitlam and Vancouver plants and may have done so while sick.

Two long-term care facilities in Abbotsford have COVID-19 outbreaks, while the number of cases at Superior Poultry Processors in Coquitlam is up to 25: Fraser Health

— CityNews Vancouver (@CityNewsVAN) April 27, 2020

“To date, Fraser Health has tested 236 employees of the facility, as well as 73 close contacts,” Fraser Health says in a release about Superior Poultry. “Case and contact management is ongoing.”

Those identified as cases and close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate. Fraser Health says the facility will remain closed until conditions of a public health order are met.

Regarding care homes, Fraser Health said a resident at Valhaven Home, a long-term care facility in Abbotsford and operated by Tabor Home Society, has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The resident is now in isolation at the home.

A staff member at MSA Manor, a long-term care facility in Abbotsford and operated by Maplewood Care Society, has also been diagnosed with COVID-19. The staff member is in isolation at home.

Both centres have let all residents and families know about the outbreaks and say they have enhanced their cleaning and infection control measures.

Communication with residents and families notifying them of the outbreaks is complete, while cleaning and infection control measures have been enhanced.

The health authority also declared an outbreak over at Langley Lodge, a long-term care facility owned by the Langley Care Society.

“Fraser Health has implemented comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in long-term care, assisted living and independent living facilities, and there are no longer any COVID-19 cases at this site.”