Tuesday, July 7, 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 united, U.S. divided by COVID-19: poll

Canada united, U.S. divided by COVID-19: poll
Canadians believe the COVID-19 crisis has brought their country together, while Americans blame the pandemic for worsening their cultural and political divide, a new international public opinion survey suggests.

Canada united, U.S. divided by COVID-19: poll

Alert system ready for N.S. Mi'kmaq communities

Alert system ready for N.S. Mi'kmaq communities
A new alert system that will issue emergency messages to residents in five Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq communities is the first of its kind among Indigenous peoples in Canada, according to developers.

Alert system ready for N.S. Mi'kmaq communities

Prison oversight panel to get its data: Blair

Prison oversight panel to get its data: Blair
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is stepping in to ensure an advisory panel tasked with overseeing the segregation of federal inmates will get the data it needs to do its job.

Prison oversight panel to get its data: Blair

New Westminster Police arrest masseur accused of sexually assaulting a client

New Westminster Police arrest masseur accused of sexually assaulting a client
The New Westminster Police Department Major Crime Unit arrested an adult male masseur after an allegation of sexual assault during a massage.

New Westminster Police arrest masseur accused of sexually assaulting a client

Vancouver police investigating that city’s 4th motor related death

Vancouver police investigating that city’s 4th motor related death
A two-vehicle collision that occurred in Vancouver last week has resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man from Vancouver.

Vancouver police investigating that city’s 4th motor related death

Amend B.C. Workers Compensation Act: review

Amend B.C. Workers Compensation Act: review
A review of services offered to injured workers in British Columbia makes more than 100 recommendations to improve communication, care and individual services at the Workers' Compensation Board.

Amend B.C. Workers Compensation Act: review