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

Outside agency to look at claims against RCMP

Outside agency to look at claims against RCMP
The RCMP has asked an external police agency to assess allegations made against senior Mounties in the case of a Polish immigrant who died at the Vancouver airport in 2007.

Outside agency to look at claims against RCMP

Wildfire numbers surge in B.C. in the last week

Wildfire numbers surge in B.C. in the last week
The BC Wildfire Service says of the 540 fires recorded since April in British Columbia, more than one quarter have been sparked in the last week.

Wildfire numbers surge in B.C. in the last week

B.C. boy killed as tree falls during hike

B.C. boy killed as tree falls during hike
A five-year-old boy has been killed in an accident involving a group of hikers on a walk east of Vancouver.

B.C. boy killed as tree falls during hike

Feds eye existing tools for post-CERB help

Feds eye existing tools for post-CERB help
The Liberals plan to use existing tools to quickly create a new support measure next month for struggling workers who won't qualify for employment insurance.

Feds eye existing tools for post-CERB help

Liberal MPs say they support prorogation

Liberal MPs say they support prorogation
Liberal MPs were surprised by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to shut down Parliament Tuesday, but many say they believe it was the right call to hit the reset button and deliver a new throne speech, given how COVID-19 has changed the political and economic landscape.

Liberal MPs say they support prorogation

Federal government to join assessment of B.C. coal mine

Federal government to join assessment of B.C. coal mine
The federal government has announced it will join in an environmental assessment of a major expansion to a proposed southern British Columbia coal mine.

Federal government to join assessment of B.C. coal mine