Outbreak declared at B.C. long-term care facility as visitation rules relaxed
Health officials have declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care home in Maple Ridge, B.C., after three residents tested positive for the disease.
The declaration of an outbreak at Holyrood Manor on Monday afternoon happened to come hours after the government relaxed visitation rules at care homes across the province.
Given the circumstances, families with loved ones at Holyrood will not be able to take advantage of those eased restrictions for the time being. Fraser Health said visitors are temporarily banned throughout the facility.
"Fraser Health is also working with the site to identify anyone who may have been exposed, and is taking steps to protect the health of all staff," the health authority said in a news release.
Those steps include implementing enhanced infection control measures and screening residents and staff for COVID-19 twice per day, Fraser Health said.
It's been more than a week since B.C. has had an outbreak in a long-term care home or assisted living facility – progress that health officials have credited to widespread vaccination, including among the elderly residents who are much more vulnerable to severe infection.
The last outbreak in long-term care – at the Rotary Manor in Dawson Creek – was declared over on July 8. One of the two residents who caught the disease died, according to Northern Health.
The ongoing threat of COVID-19 has left some families anxious to know whether care home employees are vaccinated as well.
Earlier this month, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said the government would not be making vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory for workers in care settings, opting instead to force those employees to continue wearing masks and adhering to other prevention measures such as regular testing.
Henry also said she would be issuing a new public health order requiring care homes to provide the names and personal health numbers of all staff and volunteers, which will be used to determine vaccination rates at each facility and assess outbreak risks.
It's unclear whether any of that information will be made publicly available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.