CKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Wednesday, August 4, the Vancouver Island Health Authority declared a small COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term seniors’ facility in Campbell River when 3 staff tested positive.
The news bulletin identified the situation at Discovery Harbour long-term care home to be low risk since no residents have experienced any symptoms. The 3 staff members are self-isolating at home, and twice-daily screenings continue for all staff and residents.
Island Health has increased personnel presence onsite to take proactive measures, such as identifying anyone who may have been exposed. Additionally, the families have been notified and visits restricted to essential. Admissions and transfers are on hold for the duration of the outbreak, enhanced sanitation protocols are being followed and any symptomatic staff or residents will be tested for COVID-19.
As of Thursday, August 5, Island Health is reporting a total of 5 active cases in North Vancouver Island, with a total of 89 across the whole health authority. The British Columbia Center for Disease Control reported the total number for the same area as above 100 active cases, due to a difference in reporting time frames. Of these, only 1 person is hospitalized and none are in critical care.
August 4 saw the first Walk-in Wednesday, when clinics across the province administered COVID-19 vaccinations to 33,000 British Columbians. Nearly half this number was patients without an appointment and over 8,000 received their first doses. The BC government news channel reported that as of Thursday, 81.7% of eligible people 12 and older have received their first dose and 68.4% have received both. Fully vaccinated people are accounting for roughly 5% of symptomatic infections.
Data reported at the end of July shows that nearly all positive samples across the province were attributed to variants of concern. On Vancouver Island, sample prevalence for the Delta variant was 100% of the total 30 positive tests in the week ending July 24.
Overall, case incidence rates for all age groups remain low and relatively stable.
Links of Interest:
- (Island Health) Island Health declares COVID-19 outbreak at Discovery Harbour long-term care home in Campbell River
- (Island Health)) COVID 19 public Dashboard
Top photo credit: visualisation of the Covid-19 virus – Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash
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