Cases of COVID-19 have now been detected at five care homes on the North Shore, the North Shore News has learned.

The fifth care home where coronavirus has been reported in residents and staff is in Berkley Care Centre on Burr Place in North Vancouver, a 192-bed care centre operated by Vancouver Coastal Health.

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Both residents and staff at the care home have tested positive for the virus.

Two cases of COVID-19 have also been reported among residents at Amica’s Edgemont Village retirement home, according to a letter sent to families there this week. Those people remain in isolation at the care home.

According to information sent to families, seniors who test positive for COVID-19 or are suspected of having coronavirus are generally being kept at their facilities because “physicians have learned that there is little benefit for seniors with COVID-19 to be in a hospital.”

“It is important that we prevent adding to the surge of patients in our acute care facilities, unless it is absolutely necessary,” according to a letter sent to families.

Other care homes on the North Shore that have reported COVID-19 cases include Inglewood Care Centre in West Vancouver, where one staff member has tested positive, and Hollyburn House also in West Vancouver, where one staff member has tested positive and one resident has recovered from COVID-19.

Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver – the first care home to be impacted by coronavirus - remains one of the worst hit care homes in the province. At least 15 residents currently living at the care centre have tested positive for coronavirus, and at least 15 residents – and possibly more - have died.

Of the 35 people who have died in B.C., 24 have been residents of long-term care homes, said Dr. Bonnie Henry, the province’s chief medical health officer, on Friday.

At least 15 residents of the Lynn Valley care home – and possibly more – have also recovered from the virus.

More than 20 staff members at the care home have also tested positive for the virus, while at least six have recovered.