COVID-19 outbreak at Langley Memorial Hospital, case at Royal Columbian
Posted August 25, 2020 11:59 am.
Last Updated August 25, 2020 3:30 pm.
LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) — A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Langley Memorial Hospital, while a staff member at Royal Columbian Hospital has tested positive for the coronavirus.
The outbreak at Langley Memorial was listed Tuesday on the Fraser Health Authority‘s website, along with one declared Monday at Bear Creek Villa, an independent living facility in Surrey.
Fraser Health CEO Dr. Victoria Lee said the COVID-19 case linked to Langley Memorial Hospital is a patient who was discharged and tested positive later, so it’s not clear if anyone who came into contact with him or may have been exposed.
“The unit is currently not accepting new patients or visitors at this time,” although the hospital remains open, she said.
.@Fraserhealth CEO Dr. Victoria Lee says #COVID19 case linked to Langley Memorial Hospital is a patient who was discharged and tested positive later, so not clear if anyone who came into contact with him may have been exposed. #bcpoli @NEWS1130
— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 25, 2020
Lee added an operating room worker at Royal Columbian Hospital has COVID-19, but the case is not considered an outbreak because the positive test occurred after a community exposure.
Lee doesn’t believe other operating staff were exposed to the virus because they were wearing protective gear. She also said protocols for isolation after worker tests positive are the same for all, and that the operating room is not experiencing staff shortages.
Re: staff member at Royal Columbian Hospital who has #COVID19, that is not considered an outbreak because operating room worker tested positive after exposure in the community.
Other OR staff not believed to be exposed because they had full safety gear on. #bcpoli @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) August 25, 2020
Fraser Health also sent a release to families of Bear Creek residents about the COVID-19 case there.
“We are writing to notify you that someone at Bear Creek Villa was diagnosed with COVID-19,” Fraser Health says.
“This exposure does not mean that your family member is sick with COVID-19. Residents and staff will be screened twice-daily for any signs of illness. Those who develop symptoms will be isolated, tested for COVID-19 and provided the care they need.”
Additional health and safety measures are being taken at Bear Creek.
“We know that staying away from your loved one is very difficult and we appreciate that you are cooperating with this request with the goal of keeping our residents and staff healthy,” says Fraser Health.
It is not known how many staff, residents, or patients are affected at either Langley Memorial or Bear Creek.
Langley Memorial previously had an outbreak at Maple Hill, a long-term care facility at the hospital.
On Monday, the province announced an outbreak at the MSA Manor, a care facility in Abbotsford.
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Outbreaks are active at 10 facilities in Fraser Health, including eight in long-term care or independent living.
Fraser Health also added a recent COVID-19 exposure at the Hope River General Store, on Aug. 6-7 and 13-14.
In Vancouver Coastal Health, outbreaks remain active at Holy Family Hospital and the Arbutus Care Centre.
The province also set a daily record on the weekend with 109 COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour period, while reporting 269 overall.
