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Overlander LTC Facility (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
Not Covid-19

IH says facilities with respiratory outbreaks not connected to COVID-19

Mar 18, 2020 | 11:08 AM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health is assuring residents the eight residential care homes listed as having ‘Active Facility Outbreaks’ are not related to COVID-19.

As of Wednesday morning (March 18), the IH lists eight residential facilities as having declared respiratory infection outbreaks in the past week.

They are:

  • Overlander LTC Facility (Kamloops) — March 11
  • Noric House (Vernon) — March 11
  • Pleasant Valley Manor (Armstrong) — March 13
  • Westview Place (Penticton) — March 13
  • Summerland Seniors Village (Summerland) — March 16
  • Poplar Ridge Pavilion (Trail) — March 16
  • The Hamlets (Penticton) — March 16
  • Talarico Place (Castlegar) — March 18

In an email, Interior Health spokesperson Karl Hardt says the outbreaks are “seasonal respiratory viruses” typical of what is often seen during influenza season.

“None of our outbreaks are connected to COVID,” said Hardt, who notes the seasonal viruses could include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or metapneumovirus.

Hardt says residents of these facilities are being tested for COVID-19.

“COVID-19 testing is included in all testing done for [respiratory] illness in long-term care facilities,” said Hardt.

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