Saturday, July 4, 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

RCMP launch raid tied to White House ricin letter

RCMP launch raid tied to White House ricin letter
The home is located in a multi-unit building on Vauquelin Blvd. in St-Hubert, bordering a forest and not far from an airport.

RCMP launch raid tied to White House ricin letter

COVID-19 gains steam in Quebec, Ontario

COVID-19 gains steam in Quebec, Ontario
The news prompted Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec's public health director, to declare a second wave of COVID-19 had begun in the province.

COVID-19 gains steam in Quebec, Ontario

'It's like he snapped': spouse of N.S. gunman

'It's like he snapped': spouse of N.S. gunman
Fifty-one-year Gabriel Wortman took 22 lives on April 18-19 before police killed him at a service station in Enfield, N.S.

'It's like he snapped': spouse of N.S. gunman

Sea ice at second-lowest level in record

Sea ice at second-lowest level in record
The U.S.-based National Snow and Ice Data Centre has decided that today is likely to be when the overall level of sea ice across the Arctic stops melting and starts growing again.

Sea ice at second-lowest level in record

Feds OK industrial carbon taxes in Ontario, N.B.

Feds OK industrial carbon taxes in Ontario, N.B.
A similar letter was sent to New Brunswick Environment Minister Jeff Carr.

Feds OK industrial carbon taxes in Ontario, N.B.

Feds pledge $1B for rapid-housing program

Feds pledge $1B for rapid-housing program
The Liberals expect the program will create 3,000 new affordable housing units across Canada.

Feds pledge $1B for rapid-housing program