COVID-19 outbreak at Surrey Loblaws warehouse, 80 new cases in B.C.

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — A Loblaws warehouse in Surrey is the latest community outbreak of COVID-19 in the province, with nine linked infections.

Fraser Health is monitoring the outbreak, and those close to the infected employees have been told to self-isolate.

We’re getting a few more details from @Fraserhealth about the #COVID19 cases at a @loblawco distribution centre. It’s at 2755 -190th Street in #SurreyBC.
-9 employees tested positive
-Fraser Health Public Health declaring it an outbreak
-Centre operating at normal capacity

— Ria Renouf (@riarenouf) August 20, 2020

“There is no demonstrated evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through consumption of packaged foods, is a foodborne illnesses or is linked to transmission of any foodborne illnesses. Consequently, there is no evidence of risk to those outside the distribution centre,” the health authority says.

During Thursday’s update, provincial health officials also announced 80 new cases of the virus, as well as two more deaths at long-term care facilities in the Fraser Health region.

Active cases are down slightly from Wednesday to 780 in the province, with 11 patients hospitalized and four of them in critical care. But 3,045 people have recovered and the rate is at 79.7 per cent.

Here are today’s numbers up against where we’ve been.#bcpoli #covid19 @news1130 pic.twitter.com/eyhe8HIyS1

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) August 20, 2020

As for people under public health monitoring, 2,574 people are in isolation after coming into contact with someone with COVID-19.

However, Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Réka Gustafson says everyone infected on Haida Gwaii has recovered from the virus, but the outbreak is still being monitored before it is declared over.

There aren’t any new outbreaks in health-care facilities, though, nine are still being managed by the province.

Dozens of new cases have been reported on a daily basis in the province, with the highest daily-case count recorded earlier this week.

Gustafson notes the new infections are relatively stable and the number of people in hospital remains low. But there has been a small increase in infection for people between the ages of 40 to 60.

Dr. Réka Gustafson says new infections in B.C. but it is relatively stable. The number of people in hospital remains low, but have seen small increase in infections for people ages 40-60.

— Lasia Kretzel (@lkretzel1130) August 20, 2020

“We are carefully monitoring this trend because we know that the risk of severe illness goes up with age,” she says, adding the newly announced deaths reflect this.

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The majority of new cases are still in the young adult population, Gustafson adds.

Two-hundred people have died from the coronavirus in B.C. and 4,825 cases have been confirmed.