New flu outbreaks are outnumbering new COVID-19 ones at B.C. seniors' homes and acute-care facilities, such as hospitals.
Government data show there were five new flu outbreaks at long-term care settings in the week ended Dec. 17. That compares with only one new COVID-19 outbreak at an acute-care facility in the same week.
The five new flu outbreaks involved 50 sick individuals, whereas the one new COVID-19 outbreak affected five people.
The number of new COVID-19 care-facility outbreaks has been declining since late November. This is the first time since the week ended Oct. 22 that B.C. only registered one new COVID-19 outbreak at a care home or health setting.
Since late November, the number of influenza facility outbreaks has been relatively stable, at five to seven outbreaks per week.
A separate government document listed two new active COVID-19 outbreaks at seniors' living facilities in the province in the week up to Dec. 22, for a total of six such active COVID-19 outbreaks. All of the outbreaks are in the Interior Health Region.
The new ones were at:
• Heritage Care Long Term Care; and
• Monashee Mews.
The ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks are at:
• McKinney Place Long Term Care;
• Mission Creek Landing;
• Ridgeview Lodge; and
• Williams Lake Seniors Village. •
