Precautionary outbreak

Precautionary outbreak Gateway and UHNBC

Dec 3, 2020 | 2:54 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Northern Health is implementing enhanced COVID-19 precautions at Gateway Lodge following lab confirmation of a single covid-positive case in a staff member.

The health authority says communication with gateway lodge staff, residents, and families is underway.

At this time, Northern Health says there is no evidence of transmission of illness among staff and residents at Gateway.

This is the first long term care outbreak declared in Prince George and the 3rd in the region.

Northern Health is implementing enhanced COVID-19 precautions related to the Family Medicine Unit at University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George, following lab-confirmed – but unrelated – cases of COVID-19.

Enhanced outbreak control measures are in place at UHNBC, and at this time, there is no evidence of ongoing transmission of COVID-19 within UHNBC.

As a precaution, NH Medical Health Officers have declared a managed outbreak related to the Family Medicine Unit (FMU) at UHNBC, based on criteria for declaring outbreaks in acute care settings.

In this case, there have been individual lab-confirmed cases in staff who may have worked during their potential infectious period, and in some hospitalized patients.

NH care facilities have implemented very clear policies and procedures for COVID-19 infection prevention and control, and the risk of transmission to patients, staff, and physicians at UHNBC is considered low.