Units in two Vancouver-area hospitals closed by COVID-19 outbreak

VANCOUVER – Health officials have declared COVID-19 outbreaks at two more Metro Vancouver hospitals after finding evidence the virus was transmitted within a medicine unit at both locations.

A statement from Fraser Health says the outbreaks are in single units of Surrey Memorial Hospital and Chilliwack General Hospital.

One patient at Surrey Memorial and five patients at Chilliwack General have tested positive for COVID-19.

Those units have been closed to admissions, but Fraser Health says other units and the emergency rooms of both hospitals remain open.

Information from Vancouver Coastal Health shows a COVID-19 outbreak continues at three in-patient units on three separate floors of the highrise tower at Vancouver General Hospital.

The units remain closed to admissions, transfers and visitors after COVID-19 outbreaks were confirmed on those wards, with the first outbreak reported Feb. 21.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 1, 2021.