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Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Glacier View Lodge long-term care home in Courtenay involving one staff person who is self isolating. “At this time, no residents are experiencing symptoms,” Island Health said in a statement Sunday night. Communication with residents and families is underway.

COVID-19 tests will be performed on staff and residents who worked with the affected staff member.

Glacier View Lodge is a not for profit long-term care home operated by Glacier View Lodge Society. The outbreak is limited to two wings within the facility, the health authority said. Island Health is working with the home’s managers and staff to identify anyone who may have been exposed.

As a result of the outbreak, admissions are restricted, visits are restricted to essential visitors, staff and resident movement in the facility has been restricted, and cleaning and infection control measures have been enhanced. 

As happens in all outbreaks in Island Health, the health authority will increase its presence at the site to take further actions if required, support the facility, and to answer questions from staff, residents and family members.

The outbreak comes on the heels of an outbreak being declared over at Wexford Creek in Nanaimo on Saturday.

As of Feb. 23, the outbreak at Eden Gardens involving one staff and one resident in Nanaimo was ongoing.

Meanwhile, Drinkwater Elementary School in Duncan is warning of potential COVID-19 exposure on Thursday.

The school posted a letter on Facebook from Island Health to the school stating that a member of the school community tested positive for the virus.

Island Health is carrying out contact tracing to identify staff or students who may need to self-isolate or watch for symptoms.

There were also exposures at David Cameron Elementary School on Meaford Avenue in Victoria on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, Island Health said on its website.

Thrifty Foods had two exposures at its Courtenay store on Cliffe Avenue on Feb. 20 and on Feb. 23. The information was posted on Sobey’s website, the parent company.