Wednesday, February 11, 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

Judge reserves decision on Meng evidence hearing

Judge reserves decision on Meng evidence hearing
Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes also reserved her decision on whether to admit additional evidence that would support that claim in Meng's fight against extradition to the U.S.

Judge reserves decision on Meng evidence hearing

Green leadership results tainted now: Haddad

Green leadership results tainted now: Haddad
The Green party says it accidentally kept thousands of dollars in donations that were supposed to go to Glen Murray, leaving him with significantly less money to use for campaigning.

Green leadership results tainted now: Haddad

Ontario, Quebec prep for tougher COVID-19 measures

Ontario, Quebec prep for tougher COVID-19 measures
Dr. David Williams, the province's chief medical officer of health, says further measures to fight the pandemic could be announced as the data is analyzed.

Ontario, Quebec prep for tougher COVID-19 measures

Court rejects appeal of Stampeder's killer

Court rejects appeal of Stampeder's killer
Three Court of Appeal justices unanimously dismissed the appeal of Nelson Lugela, who was found guilty last year of second-degree murder in the death of Mylan Hicks.

Court rejects appeal of Stampeder's killer

Health Canada OKs rapid COVID-19 test

Health Canada OKs rapid COVID-19 test
Health Canada has emergency authority to quickly approve tests for COVID-19 and has been under increasing pressure to allow the use of rapid testing in Canada as cases surge and Canadians are sometimes waiting days to get their test results.

Health Canada OKs rapid COVID-19 test

Family seeks answers in youth's death in care home

Family seeks answers in youth's death in care home
A release from the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs says the teen was found in the closet of his bedroom at the Aboriginal Agency group home where he was last seen, and had been there the whole time.

Family seeks answers in youth's death in care home