Four patients in the transitional care unit of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting an outbreak designation from Island Health. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

HOSPITAL OUTBREAK

COVID-19 outbreak declared at NRGH transitional care unit

Nov 2, 2021 | 11:08 AM

NANAIMO — Island Health has confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19 at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Four patients in the transitional care unit of the hospital have tested positive, the first of which came Sunday, Oct. 31 after showing symptoms.

Enhanced cleaning and other precautions were implemented immediately, with follow-up rounds of testing identifying the three additional cases.

Admissions are temporarily suspended to the unit and movement of patients and staff in and out of the unit are being restricted.

Visitation is also limited to essential visits.

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Island Health said in a release the outbreak is limited to the transitional care unit only and other areas of the hospital remain open and safe, including the emergency room.

“The hospital is still a safe place and people should not avoid seeking emergency care if they require it. All outpatient services and scheduled procedures will continue as normal.”

It’s the second outbreak of COVID-19 in the unit during the pandemic.

Five people tested positive in November 2020, with the outbreak declared over ten days later after no further transmission.

It’s the fourth outbreak of COVID-19 at the hospital overall since the start of the pandemic.

Similar situations developed in the east wing of NRGH in January where two staff members and one patient tested positive.

Another outbreak occurred in April where five patients and one staff member in a rehab unit were also positive.

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