Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital after three patients in a rehab unit tested positive for the virus.
The first patient tested positive for the coronavirus on April 12 after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Follow-up testing in the High Intensity Rehab unit found two additional patient cases.
Island Health said it immediately implemented enhanced cleaning and contact tracing protocols after the first case was detected “to protect the health of all patients, staff, medical staff and students.”
There will not be any new admissions into the unit and all patients and staff in it will be tested for COVID-19.
In addition, no patients from the rehab unit will be transferred to long-term care or assisted living facilities.
“It is important to note that this outbreak is limited to the High Intensity Rehab Unit and no other areas of the hospital are currently affected,” Island Health said in a statement.
“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.”
The last outbreak to occur at the hospital was in January, when two staff members and one patient tested positive for COVID-19.
That outbreak at NRGH was limited to the east wing of the fourth floor.
Jeff Lawrence
