COVID-19: B.C. records 15 deaths, 8 new health-care facility outbreaks

In the last day, 15 more British Columbians who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus have died.

Four of the five health authorities recorded deaths in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, a total of 2,150 more people have been infected in the province. However, due to testing capacity being overwhelmed, the true number of new infections is anywhere from three to five times higher.

In Fraser Health, five people died and 576 cases were recorded; in Vancouver Coastal Health four died and 454 people were infected; in Interior Health two died, 563 were infected; in Island Health four died and 354 were infected. Northern Health accounted for 203 cases.

15 more deaths
Hospital down 4 and ICU up 4
Now 58 LTC/acute outbreaks (+2 from yesterday)#bcpoli #covid19 @citynew pic.twitter.com/eKIHqd1YLf

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) January 20, 2022

There has been a slight dip in the number of people in hospital. There are 891 hospitalizations Thursday, which is down by four compared to Wednesday. Out of that group, 119 are in the ICU, which is up by four compared to Wednesday.

There have been eight new health-care facility outbreaks at Queen’s Park Care Centre, Lakeshore Care Centre, Baillie House, Bevan Lodge (Fraser Health), Westview Place (Interior Health), Fir Park Village, The Summit and Parkwood Court (Island Health). The outbreaks at Kinsmen Lodge, Chartwell Carlton Gardens, Amica White Rock, Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge, Maple Ridge Seniors Village and Kiwanis Care Centre (Fraser Health) have been declared over.

There are 58 healthcare facility outbreaks:

Long-term care:

• Fraser Health:
  • New Vista Care Centre,
  • Chartwell Langley Gardens,
  • George Derby Centre,
  • CareLife Fleetwood,
  • Evergreen Baptist Care Society,
  • Hilton Villa Seniors Community,
  • Morgan Place,
  • Mayfair Senior Living + Care,
  • MSA Manor,
  • Menno Hospital,
  • Buchanan Lodge,
  • St. Michael’s Centre,
  • Eden Care Centre,
  • Lakeshore Care Centre,
  • Baillie House,
  • Bevan Lodge.
• Vancouver Costal Health:
  • Kopernik Lodge,
  • St. Vincent’s Langara
• Interior Health:
  • Sun Pointe Village,
  • Lakeview Lodge,
  • Hamlets in Vernon,
  • Brocklehurst Gemstone,
  • Heritage Square,
  • Village at Smith Creek,
  • Westview Place.
• Island Health:
  • Amica Douglas House,
  • Eden Gardens,
  • Glenwarren Lodge,
  • Kiwanis Village Lodge,
  • Saanich Peninsula Hospital – long-term care,
  • Oyster Harbour,
  • Dufferin Place,
  • Beacon Hill Villa,
  • Salvation Army Sunset Lodge,
  • James Bay Care Centre,
  • The Heights at Mt. View,
  • Luther Court,
  • Veterans Memorial Lodge,
  • Sunset Lodge,
  • Sidney Care Home,
  • Eagle Ridge Manor,
  • Sidney All Care,
  • Sunrise of Victoria,
  • Comox Valley Seniors Village,
  • Fir Park Village,
  • The Summit,
  • Parkwood Court.

Acute care:

• Fraser Health:
  • Surrey Memorial Hospital,
  • Abbotsford Regional Hospital,
  • Langley Memorial Hospital,
  • Laurel Place,
  • Burnaby Hospital,
  • Peace Arch Hospital,
  • CareLife Fleetwood,
  • Queen’s Park Care Centre.
• Interior Health:
  • Kelowna General Hospital
• Island Health:
  • Royal Jubilee Hospital

Assisted or independent living:

• Interior Health
  • Joseph Creek Care Village

The Northern, Interior and Island health authorities have announced adjustments in anticipation of staffing shortages and an increase in patients because of rising COVID-19 cases.

Each authority has postponed surgeries, while Island and Interior Health are relocating staff in an effort to maintain safe patient care.

Interior Health says it’s closed in-patient services at health centres in Clearwater, Invermere, and Lillooet to stabilize emergency departments.

On Vancouver Island, staffing levels at larger acute care sites are being beefed up by moving ambulatory and surgical workers to areas of critical demand.