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facility outbreak

More cases discovered in Rotary Manor outbreak in Dawson Creek

Nov 6, 2020 | 1:43 PM

DAWSON CREEK—Additional lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been identified at a health care facility outbreak in Northern B.C.

An outbreak was declared at Rotary Manor in Dawson Creek on November 2, following a single-lab confirmed case of the virus in a staff member. Since then Northern Health says that additional COVID-19 cases have been identified.

“Northern Health continues to take steps to protect the health of all Rotary Manor staff, residents and families. Enhanced control measures are in place, as well as additional supports for the facility to address quality, answer questions from staff, residents and family, and provide active checks of symptoms with staff and residents.”—Release by Northern Health

Various health and safety measures have been put in place in response to the outbreak, including:

  • Non-essential visitors are restricted throughout the facility
  • Staff and resident movement in the facility has been restricted
  • Cleaning and infection control measures have been enhanced
  • Residents, families and staff are being notified and regularly updated
  • Frequent screening of all staff and residents
  • Expanded hours and staffing at Fort St. John Hospital laboratory for COVID-19 testing
  • Expanded testing for residents and staff with symptoms of illness

The release by Northern Health goes on to say that the evidence of virus transmission means that the timeline for declaring the outbreak over will change.

The outbreak will not be declared over until there are no further exposure concerns from lab-confirmed cases.

“Public health officials will be monitoring the situation carefully over coming weeks and will only declare the outbreak over when they are confident that chains of transmission have been stopped.”—Release by Northern Health

More information on exposures in the Northern Health region can be found on Northern Health’s website.