A total of 50 active cases of COVID-19 have been identified in connection with an outbreak on a surgical ward at Royal Inland Hospital.
On Tuesday, Kamloops medical health officer Dr. Carol Fenton provided an update to media on the situation at the hospital, where an outbreak in connection to 6 South was declared on Jan. 22.
There have been 51 total cases of COVID-19 seen at the hospital. Of the 50 active cases, 32 are amongst staff and 18 are among patients. Another elderly patient who died over the weekend marks 19 total patients at the hospital who've contracted the virus.
No additional deaths were reported on Tuesday. One person to date has died from the outbreak.
Fenton said the outbreak remains contained to 6 South, which is a surgical unit, and a COVID-19 ward.
“The hospital is working very hard to contain transmission and we meet daily to review all the cases and protocols to ensure that infection control is at the highest standards,” Fenton said, offering kudos to staff.
Surgeries are continuing and Interior Health and the hospital is said to remain a safe place to attend for appointments and emergencies.
Fenton said a vaccine clinic is underway at RIH, with emergency critical care, COVID-19 ward staff and physicians being immunized with a first dose.
