Tuesday January 11, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
As the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly in communities and workplaces, today Island Health has declared COVID-19 outbreaks at two long-term care homes.
One is in Saanich (owned and operated by Island Health) and the other in Ladysmith (owned and operated by Park Place Seniors Living.
All Island Health long-term care outbreaks are posted on the health authority’s website.
Saanich Peninsula Hospital long-term care
Two staff members and three residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
The outbreak declaration is limited to the extended care units and Saanich Peninsula Hospital is not affected.
Saanich Peninsula Hospital long-term care is owned and operated by Island Health.
Oyster Harbour long-term care home in Ladysmith
Two resident cases and one staff case have been attributed to this outbreak at Oyster Harbour – Park Place Seniors Living. The outbreak declaration is limited to the Sea Haven unit at this time.
Outbreak response protocols:
In general, the following outbreak response protocols have been implemented at the sites:
- No admissions or transfers to affected units;
- Essential visits can continue in outbreak units and sites;
- Staff movement will be limited wherever possible;
- No congregate dining or group activities for residents of affected units;
- Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures will continue;
- Residents, families and staff are being notified;
- Enhanced screening of all staff and residents for symptoms;
- COVID-19 testing as determined by the Medical Health Officer and Infection Prevention and Control.
During this time, Island Health will support the sites to take any further actions required and answer questions from staff, residents and family members.
Island Health has implemented comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in long-term care, acute care, assisted living and licensed care facilities. For more information about COVID-19, see www.islandhealth.ca/covid19
Victoria General Hospital
The outbreak in two rooms on the general medicine unit on 4B at VGH has been declared over. The outbreak was initially declared on December 31, 2021. In total, two patient cases were attributed to this outbreak.
===== RELATED:
COVID outbreaks at 5 long-term care homes (January 5, 2022)
COVID rolls into 2022: tough couple of weeks ahead (January 4, 2022)
BC teachers want N95 masks & booster priority (January 4, 2022)
Island Health looks ahead into 2022 (January 4, 2022)
VGH COVID outbreak: two patients in unit 4B (January 1, 2022)
