3 more long-term care home deaths in Interior Health region

Three more COVID-19 related deaths have taken place in Interior Health long-term care homes, bringing the total number of deaths in the health region to 38.

Two additional deaths were reported at Heritage Square long-term care in Vernon where there are now 41 cases split between 31 residents and five staff, with four deaths now connected with the outbreak.

An additional death at Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna brings that outbreak up to two deaths, among 42 cases split between 37 residents and five staff.

"This has been a week of celebration and heartbreak for many throughout the Interior," Interior Health president and CAO Susan Brown said in the release. "While staff and residents of long-term care are receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations, sadly three more people have succumbed to their illness, all in long-term care.

"While the COVID-19 vaccine brings hope and optimism, we must not lose sight of the important public health measures that help protect our vulnerable loved ones in the community."

Other long-term care home outbreaks in the region include:

• Sunnybank long-term care home in Oliver with 19 cases.
• Noric House long-term care home in Vernon with 13 cases.
• McKinney Place long-term care in Oliver has 77 cases.
• Village by the Station long-term care in Penticton has nine cases.
• Mountainview Village long-term care in Kelowna has 16 cases.

Interior Health is now rolling out COVID-19 vaccines to priority one populations in the region, starting with long-term care home staff and residents.

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