Vancouver care home facing 3rd outbreak of COVID-19

A new COVID-19 outbreak at Arbutus Care Centre, a home for elderly residents in Vancouver, is being reported. (CTV)

Vancouver -

A Vancouver care home is dealing with its third outbreak of COVID-19, according to Vancouver Coastal Health.

Arbutus Care Centre was added to the health authority's latest "outbreak bulletin," which indicates that a coronavirus outbreak was declared in unit 2B there on Monday, Aug. 30.

In a news release Wednesday afternoon, Vancouver Coastal Health said one resident at the care home had tested positive for COVID-19.

As a result of the outbreak declaration, unit 2B has been closed to new admissions and transfers, and all group activities have been suspended, according to the health authority.

Visits to the unit have also been suspended, with an exception for essential care and compassionate visits at the end of life.

Two other outbreaks have been declared at Arbutus Care Centre since the start of the pandemic. The first occurred from Aug. 14 to 27, 2020, and was very small. Only two people - both staff members - tested positive, and no one died.

The second outbreak began on Nov. 13, 2020, and was much more significant. By the time officials declared it over on Jan. 21, 2021, 84 people had tested positive and 12 - all residents - had died. Twenty of those infected during the outbreak were staff members, while the rest were residents.