Sunday, July 5, 2026
ADVT 
National

Fraser Health opening new COVID-19 testing centre

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Nov, 2020 10:37 PM
  • Fraser Health opening new COVID-19 testing centre

Another COVID-19 testing centre is being opened in the Fraser Health region, the epicentre for British Columbia's rising case counts.

Fraser Health president Dr. Victoria Lee says most of their latest infections are linked to other known cases and clusters, indicating public health officials are identifying and following up with people to curb the spread of the illness.

The newest centre will be open by Nov. 12 in North Surrey and will process between 500 and 800 tests each day with people dropping in or booking an appointment.

Of the 1,120 people who tested positive over three days ending Monday in B.C., 830 of them were in the Fraser Health region.

There are 2,315 active infections in Fraser Health and Lee says public health workers have followed up with more than 29,000 of their contacts.

Lee reiterated public health messaging that even small gatherings are risky and the so-called "safe six" contacts should also be the same six people.

Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin, chief medical health officer for Fraser Health, added the health authority has ordered and distributed 30 per cent more influenza vaccine this year than it did last year.

"We are actively working with the province to secure more vaccine and that is on its way," she said.

There are now 30 known cases of COVID-19 associated with a dance studio in Chilliwack, said Brodkin, noting there have been some exposures but no transmission within schools in the area as a result of that outbreak.

"One of the things that we have observed (is) that large groups of people exercising together, whether that's in a gym or another setting, does appear to be a higher-risk setting for COVID-19 spread and therefore we will be looking closely at these settings over the coming days and weeks," she said.

The dance studio had a COVID-19 safety plan in place, Brodkin said.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada sends 60 firefighters to California

Canada sends 60 firefighters to California
Marc Mousseau of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre says the crews arrived in the state Thursday after a day-long briefing at the centre's sister agency in Idaho.

Canada sends 60 firefighters to California

First wave of federal funding for food processors

First wave of federal funding for food processors
A $77.5-million emergency fund was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in May to help food processors adapt to COVID-19 protocols, including acquiring more protective equipment for workers.

First wave of federal funding for food processors

Police allege slurs yelled at Black man before stabbing

Police allege slurs yelled at Black man before stabbing
Police say the video shows the fight first breaking out between the victim and the male suspect. The four women then join in with punches and kicks.

Police allege slurs yelled at Black man before stabbing

N.B. party leaders want to increase population

N.B. party leaders want to increase population
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers also pledged to increase the number of New Brunswickers as he released his party's full platform this morning in Moncton.

N.B. party leaders want to increase population

UPDATE: Abbotsford Police are looking for missing 26 year old man Brook Morrison

UPDATE: Abbotsford Police are looking for missing 26 year old man Brook Morrison
UPDATE: Today, at approximately 11:45 am, Abbotsford Police and Search and Rescue volunteers located a deceased male in an area off Straiton Road. It has now been determined that the deceased male is Brook Morrison.

UPDATE: Abbotsford Police are looking for missing 26 year old man Brook Morrison

B.C. maximum rent increase dropped for 2021

B.C. maximum rent increase dropped for 2021
The government says landlords can only increase rent once per year and must provide tenants with three months' notice.

B.C. maximum rent increase dropped for 2021