-Kamloops This Week
Another 40 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in connection with an outbreak in a surgical ward at the Royal Inland Hospital, bringing the total to 48 cases to date, including one fatality.
In a statement, Interior Health said that by Monday morning, 20 patients and 28 employees had tested positive for COVID-19 and one patient had died.
“Unfortunately, an elderly patient died associated with this outbreak,” the internal health statement said.
On Friday, the health authority declared an outbreak in a department of the hospital. The outbreak affects 6 South, a surgical unit. The outbreak has not yet spread beyond that, according to Interior Health.
Interior Health says isolate patients in the COVID department and 6 South. Patients who can be discharged are isolating at home, and all employees who test positive are isolating at home.
Operations will continue, the statement said, and the health department is reminding people that the hospital remains a safe place for appointments and emergencies.
“I understand the public will be concerned about the news of this outbreak in your hospital,” said Dr. Carol Fenton, Kamloops Medical Health Officer, in a press release. “However, it is important that people stay calm and know that a highly skilled team is working to contain this outbreak quickly. Please help us support staff and patients by following all public health precautions in your daily activities. “
The Royal Inland Hospital is a regional hospital that caters not only to Kamloops, but also to small communities in the immediate vicinity.
The health authority is reminding residents not to meet with people outside of their households. Also, it reminds people of the physical distance (two meters), washes their hands and wears a mask.
A team of specialists works with the hospital staff on a daily basis and will provide additional updates as they become available.
READ MORE: 2. COVID Vaccine Doses Hold As BC Delivery Delays Again
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