Two new precautionary COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared in Northern Health.
The Cedar Wing at Gateway Lodge in Prince George has reported a single staff case.
In addition, the University Hospital of Northern BC’s Family Medicine Unit has reported multiple lab-confirmed but unrelated cases in patients and staff.
The number of cases associated with the University Hospital outbreak has not been made public by Northern Health, as it is unclear how many are related to each other.
Northern Health Spokesperson Eryn Collins says the definition of a preliminary outbreak differs from a ‘full-blown’ outbreak declaration.
“An official outbreak declaration would mean that we have had evidence of transmission of COVID-19 within a facility, and so need to implement full outbreak measures in order to prevent any further transmission in that setting,” explained Collins.
Provincial Health Officer Doctor Bonnie Henry has previously said there is a low threshold when it comes to declaring an outbreak at a long term or acute care facility.
As these outbreaks are either preliminary or ‘managed,’ they do not meet the criteria.
Enhanced outbreak control measures are in place at both facilities, however, Northern Health says there is no evidence of ongoing transmission.
The precautionary outbreak declaration will be in place until at least December 9th at Gateway, and the University Hospital will be under the declaration until at least December 16.
Pre-arranged visits at Gateway may continue, as the outbreak is precautionary and in a single wing of the facility.
Northern Health is monitoring both facilities for additional cases, and has implemented enhanced outbreak measures, including increased cleaning, symptom monitoring, and limiting movement of residents.
The north has recently seen an increase of COVID-19 patients in the hospital, with 33, Collins added.
11 of those individuals are being treated in intensive care.
As of publication (Dec 3) there have been 928 cases of COVID-19 in Northern Health; 235 considered active.
-With files from Brendan Pawliw, My PGNow