Care worker tests positive at Burnaby home

New Vista seniors residence in lockdown as team works to contain exposure to virus

Fraser Health has confirmed that a staff member at a Burnaby longterm care home has tested positive for COVID-19.

The New Vista Care Centre, a 236-bed residential facility that cares for seniors living with complex health issues and dementia, is locked down as the Fraser Health rapid response team works to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus. Visits have been cancelled and the movement of staff and residents inside the facility have been restricted.

The health agency says the outbreak is limited to one unit in the building and the infected staff member is currently in self-isolation at their home.

There are now seven assisted-living and long-term care facilities in B.C. under lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreaks, four of which — New Vista, George Derby Centre, Derby Manor and Dania Home — are in Burnaby.

The other outbreaks are at Vancouver’s Holy Family Hospital, Richmond Lions Manor and Maple

Ridge Seniors Village.

Long-term care facilities have been at the centre of the COVID -19 pandemic in B.C.

According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, 144 of the 195 COVID-19-related deaths that have occurred in the province have been linked to care facilities.

Last month, the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, eased restrictions at B.C. longterm care facilities. Residents at long-term care facilities with no active cases are now able to have a single designated visitor who they can meet in a designated area in each facility. All visitors must wear masks inside the care homes and visits must be booked in advance.

Visits at long-term care homes had been limited to essential-only since March in an effort to protect the province’s 32,000 long-term care residents and prevent the further spread of COVID-19.