37 test positive after COVID-19 outbreak at Chilliwack homeless shelter

Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Portal Shelter, a homeless shelter in Chilliwack, after finding “evidence of transmission” among staff and clients.

In a statement, health officials said that to date, 12 staff and 25 clients at the Portal Shelter have tested positive for COVID-19. “Fraser Health is screening staff and clients, and case and contact management is ongoing,” the health authority said. “Those identified as cases and close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate. Harm reduction and social work support is being offered on-site and to clients isolating off-site.”

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In the meantime, the health authority said that for everyone in the region, “it is critically important to use the COVID-19 assessment tool and get tested as soon as you have COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones.”

People living in the Fraser Health region can find information about test collection centres by visiting Fraser Health’s website.