COVID outbreaks end at Okanagan care homes

Interior Health has announced that COVID-19 outbreaks at Village by the Station in Penticton and Mountainview Village in Kelowna are over.

“I want to thank the staff for their commitment and dedication during these two outbreaks in long-term care,” Susan Brown, Interior Health president and CEO, said. “Thanks to their efforts, staff were able to limit the spread within the facility while ensuring the people living there received the best possible care. On behalf of everyone at Interior Health, we send our condolences to the families who lost a loved one during this difficult time.”

An outbreak is declared over when two incubation periods, or 28 days, have passed from the last onset of symptoms in a resident.

“All outbreaks are challenging and I’m happy to declare two more COVID-19 outbreaks over,” said Dr. Albert de Villiers, chief medical health officer. “It’s important everyone continues to follow precautions to limit the spread of the virus in our communities so we can protect our most vulnerable people.”

All eligible residents and staff at Village by the Station and Mountainview have been offered their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

There were 10 COVID cases linked to the outbreak at Village by the Station: five residents and five staff, and one resident died.

There were 16 COVID cases connected to Mountainview Village: eight residents and eight staff, with two residents passing away.