Health Notes

COVID-19 in B.C.: Testing stations shut down in midst of Omicron outbreak

The weather created hazardous conditions, according to Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health

by Charlie Smith on December 28th, 2021 at 7:53 PM
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      B.C.'s COVID-19 statistics may not be as reliable this week as in the past due to a cold snap.

      Late this afternoon, Fraser Health tweeted that its Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley (KPU), and Surrey 66 COVID-19 testing and immunization centres "have reduced services today due to hazardous weather conditions".

      Vancouver Coastal Health stated that operations were temporarily suspended at the COVID-19 testing sites at St. Vincent at 33rd Avenue and Cambie Street and at Vancouver International Airport for the same reason.

      This came on a day when B.C. reported 1,785 new cases of COVID-19. They include:

      • 791 new cases in Fraser Health
      • 400 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
      • 269 new cases in Interior Health
      • 42 new cases in Northern Health
      • 283 new cases in Island Health

      For the second consecutive day, the province did not disclose the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital and intensive-care units. Nor did the province reveal if there have been any more deaths.

      On Wednesday (December 29), the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Health Minister Adrian Dix will deliver a briefing to reporters.

      The province has not revealed the number of positive tests for the Omicron variant of concern since December 24.

      Meanwhile, the B.C. Teachers' Federation has called on the province to delay next week's scheduled reopening of K-12 schools due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

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