National

Makeshift COVID hospital to close in Vancouver

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Jul, 2021 03:37 PM

The makeshift hospital at the Vancouver Convention Centre, which was repurposed with COVID-19 overflow beds, is being shut down without ever taking patients.

Vancouver Coastal Health says it has approval from the Health Ministry to close the 271-bed site, one of several alternative care sites established as the threat of COVID-19 loomed last year.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says in a statement it's fortunate the site didn't have to be activated and it's great to see the centre poised to return to its original, vibrant space.

Thanks to everyone who transformed the Van. Convention into an alternate care site. While we did not have to activate the site, your dedication meant that if our hospitals were at capacity, people would have had a safe place to receive health care. https://t.co/VQpUNezQkB
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) July 13, 2021

The announcement comes as COVID-19 hospitalizations trend downward in B.C. with 66 patients currently being treated, including 14 in intensive care.

There were 33 new COVID-19 cases reported on Tuesday, for a total of 145,775 since the pandemic began.

Vancouver Coastal Health says the process to close the makeshift hospital should be complete by Friday, although there are plans to support its remobilization if needed.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Metro Vancouver real estate market cooled in June

The real estate market in Metro Vancouver eased in June from its record-setting pace in March and April. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says the number of home sold in the region totalled 3,762 last month, up 54 per cent from the 2,443 sales recorded a year earlier, but down 11.9 per cent from the 4,268 sold in May 2021.

Metro Vancouver real estate market cooled in June

Two Vancouver Police officers seriously stabbed in Chinatown

Two Vancouver Police officers were stabbed this morning while responding to a 9-1-1 call about a forcible confinement involving a 2 year-old child. Both officers were transported to hospital where they are now in stable condition.

Two Vancouver Police officers seriously stabbed in Chinatown

Birthday hug results in jewellery stolen from elderly woman, suspects involved of South Asian descent

The driver is described as a middle-aged South Asian man, with a beard. The passenger, who allegedly stole the victim’s jewelry, is described as a middle-aged South Asian woman.

Birthday hug results in jewellery stolen from elderly woman, suspects involved of South Asian descent

Restrictions to ease for fully vaccinated Cdns

After nearly 16 months of rigid travel restrictions, Canada is finally starting to loosen the rules — but only for a specific few. Effective Monday, fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents — those who have had a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada — will be able to skip the 14-day quarantine.

Restrictions to ease for fully vaccinated Cdns

Canada to receive 3.7 million doses of COVID-19

The federal government is expecting to receive 3.7 million more doses of COVID-19 vaccines this week, bringing the total of COVID-19 vaccine deliveries above 53.7 million doses.

Canada to receive 3.7 million doses of COVID-19

Out-of-province fire crews head to B.C.

Firefighting teams from Ontario and New Brunswick are arriving in British Columbia to assist with devastating wildfires. The BC Wildfire Service says the nearly 100 out-of-province members must pass COVID-19 safety checks before being sent into the field.