COVID-19 outbreaks declared at 3 hospitals across B.C.

COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared at St Paul's Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, and the University Hospital of Northern B.C.

The Vancouver Coastal Health authority says it is in the process of contacting the families of patients at St. Paul's Hospital after an unknown number of patients in its heart care centre tested positive for COVID-19.

Officials declared anoutbreakin Unit5A of the heart centre and closed itto any new admissions ortransfers for the time being, according to a Vancouver Coastal Health statement Tuesday.

The VCHauthoritysaid no visitors are allowed into the centreuntil the outbreak measures have been lifted, with the exception of family visiting loved-ones at the end of life.

Other areas of St. Paul's remain open and are able to safely receive and care for patients requiring urgent care, and there is no impact to other areas of the hospital, it said.

St. Paul's Hospital has been the site of several COVID-19 outbreaks since the pandemic began, includingin September in theUrban Health Unit, and this summer in the neo-natal care unit.

The heart centre is where the hospital provides treatment, prevention and reversal of heart conditions,including surgery, transplants and rehabilitation, according to the St. Paul's Hospital website.

On Tuesday afternoon, Fraser Health issued a statement saying an outbreak has been declared atChilliwack General Hospitalafter evidence of transmission in a medical unit.

The statement said that one patient has tested positive for COVID-19 and contact tracing is currently underway to determine if there has been further transmission.

The outbreak is limited to one of the hospital's medical units, and thatunit is temporarily closed to admissions. The hospital, including the emergency department, remains fully operational.

Fraser Health has notified all patients and patient family membersin the affected unit about the outbreak, and Chilliwack General Hospital says it is working with essential visitors on a case-by-case basis.

In Prince George, Northern Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the rehabilitation unit ofthe University Hospital of Northern B.C.

One person in the unit tested positive for COVID-19, and monitoring and testing is underway to identify any additional cases.

There is currently no sign of ongoing transmission in the unit, but recently discharged clients are being told to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.