A list of current outbreaks in our facilities.

Date declared

Location

Type of facility

Unit

Type of outbreak

Notes

March 10, 2024    
Peace Arch Hospital
Acute
 
COVID-19
 

Last update: March 11, 2024

The current active outbreak list is updated when new outbreaks are declared. When an outbreak is over, the facility is removed from the list.



When is a COVID-19 outbreak declared in a long-term care or assisted living site?

An outbreak may be declared at the direction of the medical health officer (MHO) or their official designate. A COVID-19 outbreak will not be declared solely on the basis of cases diagnosed among residents or staff.

Based on the consideration of multiple risk factors, including vaccination coverage rate among residents, the severity of illness amongst cases and the rate of increase in cases, a unit/wing/floor/facility may be placed on outbreak under the direction of the medical health officer, working with the facility leadership and health authority long-term care program, and infection, prevention and control teams.

You can read more on the BCCDC’s COVID-19 Outbreak Management Protocol for Long-Term Care and Seniors’ Assisted Living Settings document.

Notifications of outbreaks

In the unfortunate situation when an outbreak is identified at a site, the Public Health team will contact contact infected staff members and care home residents as appropriate. Long-term care residents and assisted living tenants and their family members will be notified by e-mail/phone.

When is a COVID-19 outbreak declared in an acute care site?

Final determination and declaration of an outbreak is made by the medical health officer (MHO) or their official designate (for acute care).

An outbreak may be declared when at least one staff or patient/resident diagnosed is with COVID-19; AND an investigation indicates transmission most likely occurred in the facility, from another patient/resident, visitor or staff, rather than prior to admission (for patients/residents) or from the community (for staff).

You can read more on the BCCDC’s Outbreak Management Protocol for Acute Care Settings document.

Visitors

We ask all visitors to use our hand hygiene stations when they enter and exit our facilities, particularly if there is a reported outbreak.

  • If you have any of the following, please do not visit at this time:
    • Vomiting or diarrhea
    • Cough or flu-like symptoms
    • Fever
    • Rash
  • Hand hygiene stations are located at every entrance/exit in all our facilities and we ask that you use the alcohol-based hand rub so that you don’t bring any germs into the hospital, nor take any home.
  • Please read and follow the outbreak notice posters located at the entrance of any unit declared with an outbreak. If you need help or further information, ask one of the staff at the nursing station.
  • Help yourself to any disease information pamphlets located on the unit, regarding the particular outbreak.
  • You will be asked to repeat hand hygiene just before you enter the patient’s room and immediately when you leave their room.
  • If you are visiting someone who is located on an outbreak unit, visitors may be limited to two people at a time. Please do not visit other patient rooms or common areas on the unit such as the lounge and patient kitchenette. We also recommend you don’t visit public areas in the hospital such as the cafeteria and gift shop.

Learn more about visitor guidelines during COVID-19 here.