COVID-19 outbreak declared at South Granville Park Lodge as 2 residents test positive

Vancouver Coastal Health has declared an outbreak at the South Granville Park Lodge care home in Vancouver after two residents tested positive for COVID-19, the health authority confirmed in a letter to family members. 

On Sunday, four staff members at the facility tested positive.

Prior to the two residents being diagnosed, medical health officer Dr. Michael Schwandt said in the letter that staff used personal protective equipment when interacting with residents, so the risk of exposure to residents was low.

The letter said VCH's Communicable Disease Control team is now working to identify anyone who may have been exposed.

South Granville Park Lodge offers complex care, respite and convalescent care, and has been operating since 1969.

Long-term care homes in B.C. have been particularly affected by COVID-19, and most deaths in the province are connected to those facilities.

Extra measures have been put in place at South Granville Park Lodge. All staff will continue to wear personal protective equipment and some residents will be confined to their rooms. Group activities and services deemed non-essential will be restricted. 

Visitors are not allowed at long-term care homes in B.C. except under special circumstances. 

These measures are expected to be in place until the end of the month, Vancouver Coastal Health said.

If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us at impact@cbc.ca.