B.C. announces 6 new cases of COVID-19, declares outbreak at long-term care home

VANCOUVER — British Columbia declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care home in North Vancouver after two residents were diagnosed with the virus on Saturday.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the two residents were diagnosed with COVID-19 following an earlier diagnosis of a care worker at the Lynn Valley Care Centre.

She said the Lynn Valley Care Centre is now in an outbreak protocol.

The two care home residents are among six new cases of COVID-19 diagnosed today.

“The last two cases really are the most concerning to us,” Henry told reporters, becoming choked up at one point and wiping tears from her eyes.

“The message that I think is so important for British Columbians today is that you need to stay home if you’re sick,” Henry said. “We are in an extraordinary situation. We need everybody to be aware, to look after your children.”

Henry said two of the other new cases are related to travel to Iran.

Another two people were infected while they were on an earlier cruise on the Grand Princess, a ship that is now waiting to be allowed to dock in the U.S after more people were diagnosed with the virus on a new trip.

B.C. said Friday it activated a pandemics co-ordination plan to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and is prepared to escalate the plan if needed.

Henry says of the 27 people who have now tested positive for the new coronavirus, four have recovered and three are now in hospital, with one woman in her 80s in an intensive care unit.

She said the patient in intensive care is currently recovering.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2020.

The Canadian Press