Island Health has officially declared the COVID-19 outbreaks at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and Chartwell Malaspina Care Centre long-term care home as over.
According to the health authority, there are no longer any active COVID-19 cases at either facility located in Nanaimo.
In regards to the outbreak at the Transitional Care Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, the outbreak lasted 22 days after being declared on November 1.
In total, 14 patient cases, three staff cases and three patient deaths were reported as part of the outbreak, according to Island Health.
“Staff and medical staff at NRGH demonstrated resilience and professionalism during challenging circumstances and continued to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to patients,” reads a statement from Island Health.
The health authority notes that extensive cleaning and standard end-of-outbreak procedures are underway and the unit will now return to normal operations.
As for Chartwell Malaspina, a long-term care home located at 100 Eleventh St. in Nanaimo, the outbreak was around the same length, having been declared on October 31.
In total over the outbreak, two staff members and three residents tested positive for COVID-19.
With the outbreak now declared over, extensive cleaning will be performed at Chartwell first before the return of social visits and new admissions and transfers — which are set to resume on November 24.
Resident movement throughout the unit will also resume following the outbreak being over.
Graham Cox
