Second Vernon long-term care home reports COVID outbreak

One staff member and five residents have tested positive for COVID-19 at a long-term care home in Vernon.

Interior Health has declared the outbreak at the 85-bed Vernon facility Noric House.

This is the second outbreak to hit a long-term care home in Vernon in two days, after four staff members and six residents of Heritage Square in Vernon were confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, Dec. 27.

According to Interior Health, all individuals in close contact with these individuals at Noric House are now in self-isolation and are monitoring for symptoms. Families of the residents that tested positive have been contacted directly.

Interior Health has now implemented a temporary stop to all visitors to the site.

Interior Health, who run Noric House, say all residents are being monitored for respiratory symptoms and anyone with COVID-19 symptoms will be tested. The long-term care home has also implemented enhanced cleaning protocols.

No other information has been released at this time.

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