COVID outbreak at Vernon care homes

COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared at two Vernon long-term care home.

Six residents and four staff at Heritage Square on 27th Street have tested positive for the disease.

One staff member and five residents have tested positive at Noric House on Mission Road.

Families of residents who’ve been infected have been contacted directly by Interior Health. All people in close contact with those who’ve tested positive are in self-isolation and monitoring for symptoms.

Heritage Square has 50 residents in its complex care component, according to the website of the private company that owns the facility.

All of those who have tested positive live in that section of the building.

Noric House is owned and operated by Interior Health with 85 publicly funded beds.

Visits to all both locations have been paused as a precaution, Interior Health said in a pair of news releases.