Tuesday December 1, 2020 | SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND [Update December 3, 2020: now six patients and four staff have tested positive for COVID-19.] [Update December 4, 2020: now seven patients and five staff members testing positive. Lab services temporarily relocated to Keating Cross Road lab at 2140A Keating Cross Road.] [ More info: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19 ]
by Mary Brooke, B.Sc., editor | Island Social Trends
A COVID-19 outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital was declared by Island Health today Tuesday December 1. There was evidence of transmission in acute care areas.
One staff member and five patients have tested positive for COVID-19 to date, it was stated in a news release from Island Health that was issued around 7:25 pm.
Outpatient services including lab and medical imaging will continue and the emergency department remains open at Saanich Peninsula Hospital at 2166 Mt Newton X Rd in Saanichton, says Island Health.
Upon declaring the outbreak, Island Health says it immediately implemented precautions, including enhanced cleaning and contact tracing to protect the health of all staff, medical staff and patients.
All staff and admitted patients are being tested. Island Health says it is in the process of contacting families of patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Four facility outbreaks on Vancouver Island:
At present there are four health-care facility outbreaks on Vancouver Island: Saanich Peninsula Hospital (Saanichton), West Coast General Hospital (Port Alberni), Veterans Memorial Lodge long-term care home (Saanich), and Tsawaayuuss Rainbow Gardens long term care home (Port Alberni).
Strategies:
Island Health says it has implemented comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in all acute and long-term care facilities. Dedicated COVID-19 units are established at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria to safely care for patients with COVID-19.
===== LINKS:
Island Health COVID-19: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19