There's some good news when it comes to COVID-19 infections in Burnaby.
According to the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence, Burnaby recorded 106 cases between Oct. 10 to 16.
The prior reporting period from Oct. 3-9 saw a total of 160, marking a 33 per cent week-to-week decrease.
The data is released by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
But there has also been tragedy at a local long-term care residence amid the worst COVID-19 outbreak currently in the province.
Fraser Health confirmed to the NOW this week there have been 13 deaths at Burnaby's Willingdon Care Centre, where an outbreak was declared on Sept. 27, 2021.
A total of 105 lab-confirmed cases have been reported to date involving 80 residents and 25 staff.
Fraser Health issued the alert for the facility (Cedar Lane and Birch Lane) on Sept. 27, saying one case involving a resident had been identified which prompted enhanced control measures to be put in place.
At an Oct. 14 news conference, B.C. health minister Adrian Dix said the ongoing outbreak is the "most significant."
"Willingdon is currently, by a significant margin, our most significant outbreak," Dix said.
Fraser Health added they have implemented the following measures at Willingdon Care Centre:
- Staffing levels are being supported to maintain resident care
- Social visits are restricted in the affected areas of the facility
- Essential visits can continue
- Staff and residents movement in the affected areas of the facility has been modified to minimize exposure to others
- Cleaning and infection control measures have been further enhanced
- Twice-a-day screening of all staff and residents is taking place
- Testing and screening is in place to support monitoring of disease control (including symptomatic and asymptomatic testing of all residents and staff)
- Fraser Health has additional presence at the site to take any further actions required and support the facility. This includes dedicated people to address quality, answer questions from staff, residents and family, and provide active checks of symptoms with staff and residents
- Deployed care staff and our rapid-response teams which include clinical nurse educators, infection prevention and control experts, screeners, and patient care quality officers supporting with communication to families and assessing symptoms at sites with outbreaks
- The site is connected with emergency supplies and support strategies around additional personnel if needed
- Provided air scrubbers to assist with ventilation. These devices help to improve air quality within sites
"Our condolences go out to those who’ve lost loved ones at Willingdon Care Centre, and throughout the pandemic," the authority added.
