Three patients in the high intensity unit at NRGH have tested positive for COVID-19. (NanaimoNewsNOW file photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

outbreak again

New COVID-19 outbreak confirmed in NRGH rehab unit

Apr 14, 2021 | 4:35 PM

NANAIMO — The Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is once again the site of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Island Health on Wednesday, April 14 confirmed three patients in the High Intensity Rehab unit within the hospital tested positive for COVID-19.

The first patient tested positive on April 12 after becoming symptomatic. Follow up testing confirmed two additional patient cases.

All patients and staff on the unit will now be tested for COVID-19.

The High Intensity Rehab unit is now locked down from the rest of the hospital. No new admissions are allowed and staff can’t work with other units.

fiery scene

Parksville man killed in late night crash along Hwy. 4

1h ago

fire safety

'Install, test, replace:' smoke alarm safety top of mind for Nanaimo firefighters

9h ago

Island Intensity

Clippers lose hard fought battle 3-2 to Grizzlies

16h ago

“No other areas of the hospital are currently affected,” the Island Health information bulletin said. “The hospital is still a safe place and people should not avoid seeking emergency care if they require it.”

This is the third outbreak at NRGH during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first lasted from Nov. 11, 2020 to Nov. 21 with a total of five staff members in the transitional care unit contracting the virus. No patients were infected during the outbreak.

The second outbreak began Jan. 23, 2021 and involved two staff members and one patient on the fourth floor of the east wing of the hospital.

The only other facility on Island Health’s outbreak page is Longlake Chateau, which had an outbreak on March 25.

Fifty new COVID cases were reported in the Island Health region on Wednesday.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW