No outbreak has been declared despite a positive COVID-19 test at Sunridge Place care home on Bundock Avenue in Duncan.
Island Health confirmed a staff member tested positive but said contact tracing revealed there was no risk of exposure at the facility.
“As with all confirmed cases of COVID-19, contact tracing by Public Health identifies potential close contacts and those at risk of exposure. Identified close contacts are required to self-isolate,” according to an email from Island Health. “With regard to staff cases in long-term care, if contact tracing identifies a risk of exposure within a care home, an outbreak is declared. There is no outbreak currently declared for Sunridge Place.”
Built in 2008, Sunridge Place has 160 units. It’s the second long-term care facility in Cowichan to have a staffer test positive to the virus. A staff member at Ts’i’ts’uwatul Lelum, also had a positive test.
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All long-term care homes are practicing “extreme vigilance” to keep COVID-19 out of their facilities and to reduce the risk of transmission, said the health authourity.
“Island Health and our affiliate care providers have detailed protocols in place to protect the health and safety of all residents and staff in long-term care,” said the email. “This includes frequent screening of residents, staff and visitors for COVID-19 symptoms, enhanced cleaning and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.”
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