Two hospitals on Vancouver Island are dealing with outbreaks of the coronavirus.
Island Health declared an outbreak COVID-19 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and West Coast General Hospital on Monday night.
One staff member and five patients at Saanich Peninsula have tested positive for the deadly virus.
Island Health says transmissions have occurred in acute care areas of the hospital.
“Outpatient services including lab and medical imaging will continue and the emergency department remains open. Visitors will be limited at this time,” the health authority said in a statement.
Island Health also said one staff member and one patient at West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni also tested positive for COVID-19.
It says transmission likely occurred in the hospital’s medical-surgical B-wing.
“At this time, the outbreak is limited to one unit, which is currently closed to admissions and visitors. The emergency department and the rest of the hospital remains open and there has been no impact to other areas of the hospital at this time,” the health authority said in a statement.
Island Health stresses that WCGH remains open and there is no need for people to cancel scheduled appointments or to avoid care.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19
Nicholas Pescod
