Island Health has declared the outbreak at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital over. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
COVID OUTBREAK

Outbreak at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital over after no further cases

Nov 21, 2020 | 12:14 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health has found no further evidence of COVID-19 transmission or active cases and declared the outbreak at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital over.

An outbreak was declared Nov. 11 when five members of the hospital’s transitional care unit contracted the virus. All were staff members and no patients were affected.

The unit was quickly isolated and contact tracing completed, which revealed no further evidence of transmission outside the unit.

Island Health said in a statement on Saturday, Nov. 21 “there are no longer any COVID-19 cases related to this outbreak at the site.” The unit has since re-opened.

During the outbreak other departments at the hospital, including the emergency room, remained open and fully operational.

The outbreak at NRGH came during a busy week for local health authorities who also responded to clusters and exposure events at a number of Nanaimo-Ladysmith schools.

Three clusters and two exposures are currently active within the Nanaimo-Ladysmith public school district.

Island Health currently lists two outbreaks in the healthcare system in Port Alberni and Campbell River. Possible exposures are also listed at pubs in Courtenay and Victoria.

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