Fraser Health opening new COVID-19 testing centre in Surrey, B.C., as cases rise

SURREY, B.C. – 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. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2020.

The Canadian Press