by: gordon hoekstra
covid-19 outbreaks have jumped significantly in long-term care homes since mid-august, possibly as a result of waning vaccine protection for seniors, but also likely because of rising levels of cases in the surrounding community, experts say.
there were 21 active outbreaks in long-term care, assisted-living and independent-living homes as of sept. 29, according to the latest outbreak report from the b.c. centre for disease control (bccdc).
in those homes with active outbreaks, there were 198 residents and 83 staff who had contracted covid. another 79 residents and 33 staff were infected at care homes where outbreaks were just declared over. among those facilities, there have been 42 deaths, all among residents, according to bccdc data.
the level of outbreaks is still less than it was last winter, when there were outbreaks at 50 or more facilities at a time, but care providers are concerned about the upward trend.
“there is a concern,” said mike klassen, a spokesman for the b.c. care providers association.
klassen noted that while staff at long-term care homes are required to be fully vaccinated by oct. 12, there is no such requirement for visitors.
the residents in care homes are often seniors over 70 years old and among those most at-risk of serious illness and death. they were the first to receive vaccinations in early 2021 and, as soon as a large percentage had been inoculated, outbreaks at the homes started dropping.