Fraser Health declares COVID-19 outbreaks at George Derby Care Centre, Kiwanis Care Centre, and Jackman Manor; declares COVID-19 outbreak at Cambridge Elementary School

Long term care

A staff member at Kiwanis Care Centre and a resident at George Derby Centre, as well as a staff member and three residents at Jackman Manor have tested positive for COVID-19. Fraser Health has declared outbreaks at these locations, and a rapid response team is at each site. Communication with residents and families is underway. The four residents and two staff members are currently in self-isolation at their homes.

Kiwanis Care Centre is a long term care facility in New Westminster that is owned and operated by Kiwanis Care Society. George Derby Centre is a long term care facility in Burnaby that is owned and operated by George Derby Care Society. Jackman Manor is a long term care facility in Aldergrove that is owned and operated by Aldergrove Lions Seniors Housing Society.

Enhanced control measures have been put in place at each site. Fraser Health is working with staff to identify anyone who may have been exposed and is taking steps to protect the health of all staff, residents and families. 

Fraser Health has proactively implemented the following at each site:

• Staffing levels will be maintained to provide resident care.
• Visitors are restricted throughout the facility.
• Staff and resident movement in the facility has been restricted.
• Cleaning and infection control measures have been enhanced.
• Residents, families and staff are being notified.
• Twice a day screening of all staff and residents. 

During this time, Fraser Health has additional presence at each site to take any further actions required and to support each facility. This includes dedicated people to address quality, answer questions from staff, residents and family, and provide active checks of symptoms with staff and residents.

Fraser Health has implemented comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in long term care, assisted living and independent living facilities. In addition, Fraser Health has also deployed more than 480 people including care staff and our rapid-response teams which include clinical nurse educators, infection prevention and control experts, screeners, and patient care quality officers supporting with communication to families and assessing symptoms at sites with outbreaks. Through these teams, sites are also connected with emergency supplies and additional personnel if needed. 

Schools:

Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Cambridge Elementary School in Surrey, after seven COVID-19-positive cases were identified. As a precautionary measure to respond to this outbreak, Fraser Health has advised the Surrey School District to close Cambridge Elementary School for a two-week period to break any chains of COVID-19 transmission that may be present at the school. 

In addition, Fraser Health is working closely with the Delta School District to manage a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Jarvis Elementary School in Delta. Six COVID-19-positive cases have been identified at this location. As a result of this cluster, the Delta School District has advised Fraser Health that they will functionally close Jarvis Elementary School for a two-week period due to the staffing challenges presented by the cluster.

In addition, Fraser Health is working closely with Al-Hidayah School, an independent school in New Westminster, to manage a cluster of COVID-19 cases at this location. Eight COVID-19-positive cases have been identified at the school. As a result of this cluster, Al-Hidayah School has advised Fraser Health that they will functionally close the school for a two-week period due to the staffing challenges presented by the cluster. 

In a school environment, if a student or teacher receives a confirmed positive COVID-19 test result, Fraser Health Public Health follows a rigorous protocol:

• Contact tracing is initiated to determine how the individual was infected and who they were in close contact with in order to advise for self-monitoring or isolation.

• Public Health staff works closely with the school and school district throughout the case and contact management process to maintain close communication with the school community.

For more information about COVID-19 school exposures in the Fraser Health region, please visit fraserhealth.ca/schoolexposures.

At this time, it is critically important for people living in the Fraser Health region to use the COVID-19 assessment tool and get tested as soon as you have COVID19-like symptoms, even mild ones. Please don’t wait, and book or drop by one of our collection centres which are operated in partnership with local Divisions of Family Practice. People living in the Fraser Health region can find information about test collection centres by visiting Fraser Health’s website. 

To book a COVID-19 testing appointment, complete a COVID-19 test booking form.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit fraserhealth.ca/covid19.