Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Amica Douglas House, a long-term care home in Victoria, after two staff members tested positive.
The outbreak is limited to the second floor of the Douglas Street care home, and no residents are experiencing symptoms, the health authority said.
Island Health says it’s working with leadership and staff at the care home, which is owned and operated by Amica Senior Lifestyles, to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.
The facility has implemented several measures to limit the spread, including pausing admissions and transfers to the second floor, limiting second-floor visits to essential visits only, limiting staff movement, pausing group dining and activities, and notifying residents, family and staff.
Screening of all staff and residents twice a day continues at the site, as well as cleaning and infection-control measures.
Meanwhile, sa国际传媒 Ferries says it has cancelled sailings on the central coast over Christmas and New Year’s after crew members contracted COVID-19. The company did not say how many staff members have tested positive for the virus.
Sailings on the Northern Sea Wolf were cancelled on routes connecting Bella Coola, Ocean Falls and Shearwater from Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 2. There has been no impact on sailings to or from Port Hardy.
The province reported 1,785 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, including 283 new cases in the Island Health region.
Experts warn that COVID-19 case numbers are likely to be much higher than reported due to the holidays and testing centres reaching their limits.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry had said earlier that there are long lines and delays at testing sites across the province, and she asked people not to get tested unless they have symptoms.
Health officials say they will return to regular reporting of COVID-19 cases, vaccinations, hospitalizations and deaths today.
— With a file from The Canadian Press
