Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Jill Sperling

COVID-19

RIH outbreak grows, Westsyde Care Residences outbreak unchanged

Feb 5, 2021 | 4:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — The outbreak at Royal Inland Hospital has increased to 95 total cases.

The outbreak involves 32 patients and 62 staff. Currently, 53 cases are considered active, which is down from Thursday’s active case total of 58. The outbreak started in the surgical ward of 6 South, and while there have been reports of the outbreak spreading to another floor, Interior Health has not confirmed this.

As of 5:30 p.m Friday (Feb. 5), Interior Health states the outbreak has been contained to unit 6 North, and the outbreak has now been declared over on 6 South. IH says after appropriate cleaning, it is safe to resume regular operations on that unit.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says an investigation is ongoing into how much the outbreak has spread.

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“I know that there were investigations ongoing and testing ongoing in other parts of the hospital to understand the spread and there are often concerns that may or may not bear out,” Henry said. “I know the investigation is ongoing and the people who are doing those investigations, partly the public health team, with the infection control team and operations at Interior Health are actively managing every single concern in that hospital.”

The outbreak at Westsyde Care Residence Group home remains unchanged from Thursday, with 21 total cases among 10 residences and 11 staff. All cases are active.