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Forty-six COVID deaths in B.C. over the weekend, 2,364 new cases confirmed

Forty-six people with COVID-19 died over the weekend; most of the deaths happened in ­seniors homes, B.C. health ­officials said. “This is a difficult and gutting day,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said Monday.
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Health Minister Adrian Dix provides an update on COVID-19 on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. PROVINCE OF B.C.

Forty-six people with COVID-19 died over the weekend; most of the deaths happened in ­seniors homes, B.C. health ­officials said.

“This is a difficult and gutting day,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said Monday. “I think after this weekend report, I think all of us need to reflect and redouble our efforts.”

Eight of the deaths were in hospital and the rest were in long-term care homes. All were in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry became emotional as she expressed her condolences to families and thanked caregivers for their dedication.

“Health-care workers have been at the front lines, or maybe the last line of defence right now,” she said. “I know how challenging it is and I’m with you every single day, supporting you in admiration for the work that you’re doing.”

There have been 441 deaths linked to the COVID-19 in B.C.

The province announced 2,364 new cases of COVID-19 in the three days since Friday, including 58 in Island Health, which now has 236 known active cases. More than half are in the central Island.

There are 8,855 active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. and 316 people are in hospital, including 75 in intensive care. Another 10,139 people are being ­monitored after having contact with a person who tested positive for the virus.

Five new outbreaks in health-care facilities were announced, including one at Veterans Memorial Lodge long-term care home in Saanich, where one health-care worker tested positive and is isolating. The lodge, home to 225 veterans and seniors, is closed to visitors and admissions.

Contact tracing is being done, and movements of staff and residents are being limited.

The facility is the third care home on the Island to have an outbreak. A staff member tested positive at Discovery Harbour in Campbell River, and one staff member and two residents tested positive at Tsawaayuus Rainbow Gardens in Port Alberni.

The outbreak in Saanich is a reflection of transmission in the community, said seniors watchdog Isobel Mackenzie, who has called for the use of rapid testing to screen health-care workers for COVID-19.

Right now, the prevention measures are all about “layers,” Mackenzie said. All staff work at a single site to prevent possible transmission between care homes. They are screened for wellness, and they wear personal protective equipment, follow infection prevention practices, and isolate if sick.

And there’s this “new layer of screening that we could be adding — rapid testing,” she said. “The degree to which that would prevent the spread within care homes were not clear, but, it would pick up some of the potential workers who are unaware perhaps that they are symptomatic reporting to work.”

B.C. Care Providers Association president Terry Lake, a former B.C. health minister, supports using rapid testing for health-care workers in long-term care facilities.

Henry has said the tests, which produce results in minutes, have their limitations and would require testing all workers daily.

There are currently 1,338 cases of COVID-19 in long-term care and assisted living, including 847 residents and 487 staff.

ceharnett@timescolonist.com