Thursday, February 12, 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

Former MP Rob Anders charged with tax evasion

Former MP Rob Anders charged with tax evasion
Anders represented a Calgary riding between 1997 and 2015, and the Post reported the charges are linked to his time in office.

Former MP Rob Anders charged with tax evasion

MEC opposes efforts to adjourn sale to Kingswood

MEC opposes efforts to adjourn sale to Kingswood
Kevin Harding with the Save MEC campaign filed an application in a B.C. court last week to adjourn the sale to California-based Kingswood Capital Management, part of an effort to preserve the retailer’s status as a co-operative.

MEC opposes efforts to adjourn sale to Kingswood

7 presumptive cases of COVID-19 at Nunavut mine

7 presumptive cases of COVID-19 at Nunavut mine
Nunavut confirmed two cases of the virus at Hope Bay on Sept.19, but the government says there is no established link between them and the seven presumptive cases announced today.

7 presumptive cases of COVID-19 at Nunavut mine

Coquitlam RCMP want to return a stack of cash, similar to this stack of 20-dollar bills, to its rightful owner

Coquitlam RCMP want to return a stack of cash, similar to this stack of 20-dollar bills, to its rightful owner
It says a lot about our community that someone found this large amount of cash and immediately turned it over to police, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with Coquitlam RCMP.

Coquitlam RCMP want to return a stack of cash, similar to this stack of 20-dollar bills, to its rightful owner

Officer injured during traffic stop in Penticton

Officer injured during traffic stop in Penticton
Police say the car then pulled forward, striking the officer and side swiping a marked police vehicle before fleeing.

Officer injured during traffic stop in Penticton

53 COVID-19 infections at Calgary hospital

53 COVID-19 infections at Calgary hospital
Alberta Health Services said Monday that 26 patients and 27 workers at the Foothills Medical Centre have contracted the novel coronavirus. Four patients have died.

53 COVID-19 infections at Calgary hospital