Monday December 14, 2020 | SAANICH, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., editor | Island Social Trends
A COVID-19 outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital was declared by Island Health last Tuesday December 1. By December 8 there were two more cases, bringing the total to nine patients and five staff who had tested positive. By the end of last week (Friday December 11), Island Health has announced two new COVID-19 cases being linked to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital outbreak. That brought the infection totals to nine patients and eight staff.
Today December 14 the latest announcement shows 10 patients and nine staff as having tested positive for COVID-19.
The COVID-19 outbreak is still listed as active on the Island Health outbreak list.
Two deaths:
There have been two deaths related to this outbreak (as were announced by the Public Health Officer within general BC CDC stats, on Wednesday and Thursday last week). Those have been the only two deaths within the Island Health region since September 28; total deaths on Vancouver Island stand at eight.
Out of respect for the privacy of the individuals and their families who have been impacted by the deaths, Island Health has not shared any further details.
Acute care hotspot:
There was evidence of transmission in acute care areas from the start of this outbreak; today Island Health says the hospital remains closed to acute admissions. However, the emergency department remains open. Day surgery is available and safe, says Island Health in a news release today.
Lab services relocated, outpatient area still open:
On December 4, lab services at Saanich Peninsula Hospital were temporarily relocated to Keating Cross Road lab at 2140A Keating Cross Road (Mon-Fri, 8 am to 4 pm). Outpatient services including lab and medical imaging were to continue. The emergency department remained open at Saanich Peninsula Hospital at 2166 Mt Newton X Rd in Saanichton, says Island Health.
Dangerous infection:
Infection by the SARS-CoV-2 (aka COVID-19) virus causes damage to lung tissue (among many other body system impacts). When invasion by the spike-protein virus (coronavirus) is unchecked by the person’s own immune system (or indirectly by way of mechanical intervention with a ventilator in hospital), this is what can lead to death.
Reduced oxygen availability to the brain, lungs, and throughout the body is leading to some continuing impacts in ‘long haulers’ (people who have health problems after the infection that they didn’t have before).
Vaccines are coming:
A brand new vaccine was announced last week. The first administration of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine (a starter kit of 3,900 doses coming to BC) will be done today Monday December 14 from two centralized locations in the BC lower mainland (in Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions), almost entirely among workers in long-term care and acute care. | Mini batch of first COVID vaccine to long-term care workers & hospital front line (December 9, 2020)
===== PREVIOUS ARTICLES on Saanich Peninsula Hospital:
Dec 11: Both island COVID deaths this week due to Saanich Peninsula Hospital outbreak – summary impact at week’s end
Dec 7: COVID death at Saanich Peninsula Hospital – first death announced
Dec 1: COVID outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital – outbreak announced
===== GOVERNMENT LINKS:
Island Health COVID-19: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19
BC Stats on COVID-19: BC CDC – COVID information
