VANCOUVER Mass testing for COVID-19 at a Nanaimo hospital unit dealing with an outbreak has identified one additional infection, Island Health said Friday. In a statement, the health authority said it had tested every patient at the High Intensity Rehab Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital after a coronavirus outbreak was declared there Wednesday. A total of four patients have now tested positive in connection to the outbreak, Island Health said, adding that all of the other patients on the unit had tested negative. Testing of staff at the unit is ongoing, but all results received so far have been negative, according to the health authority.
The first patient tested positive on Monday after developing symptoms. Island Health said it has implemented precautions, including enhanced cleaning and contact tracing. Subsequent testing identified two additional patient cases for a total of three on Wednesday. All patients and staff on the affected unit are now being tested for COVID-19. No new admissions will be made to the high intensity rehab unit and staff movement between units is restricted, said Island Health. As well, no patients in the unit awaiting transfer to long-term care or assisted living will be moved. No other areas of the hospital are currently affected by the outbreak, said Island Health.
VICTORIA Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) after three patients tested positive for COVID-19 this week. The health authority says the first patient tested positive for the virus on April 12, after they began displaying symptoms. After the test result came in, Island Health says it immediately began contact tracing and switched to more intensive cleaning practices, among other safety precautions. In follow-up testing, two other patients tested positive for COVID-19, according to Island Health. The health authority says the outbreak is limited to the hospital s high intensity rehab unit. Island Health has now suspended new admissions and transfers to the high intensity rehab unit, and staff movement to and from the facility has been limited.
The woman managed to fend off a man, who fled the area. She had significant injuries but managed to flag down pedestrians who came to her aid and called an ambulance. B.C. Ambulance paramedics called police. Based on the description the victim provided to police, Seward was located a short distance away and arrested, O’Brien said. Seward is being held in custody until his court date on July 14. The woman was taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for treatment and has been released. She is being helped by victim services as well as family and friends, O’Brien said.