Another resident has tested positive for COVID-19, for a total of six, in an outbreak at a seniors long-term care home in Nanaimo.
An outbreak at Chartwell Malaspina Care Residence in Nanaimo was declared on Dec. 26 with just one patient testing positive for COVID-19. All residents are being isolated in their rooms.
The outbreak that had been contained to one unit has spread to two, both on the first floor of the facility. All visits, admissions and transfers to the care home have stopped.
Island Health said the new case was detected through mass testing this week. All residents and more than 130 staff have been tested.
Still, health officials have not been able to find the origin of the outbreak. It’s the first outbreak on the Island where a patient has tested positive first. Officials suspect a staff member brought the virus into the facility, as has been the case elsewhere.
Dr. Mike Benusic, Island Health’s medical health officer for the central region, said this week that he’s asked that Chartwell staff be “prioritized” for COVID-19 vaccinations on the Island given the home is experiencing an outbreak.
For now, infection prevention and control measures including isolation remain the first line of defence, Benusic said.
Meanwhile, an outbreak declared on Dec. 19 at The Gardens at Qualicum Beach — which provides long-term care, assisted living and independent living — has been declared over. The outbreak was contained to one staff member.
“No other cases in staff or residents were identified related to this outbreak,” Island Health said on Friday.
Booking for visits will begin immediately, and admissions to the home will resume on Jan. 4.
An outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital declared on Dec. 1 has also been declared over. Eleven patients, 11 staff and two visitors tested positive, while four patients died, said the Island’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Richard Stanwick.
The outpatient laboratory, which was temporarily moved to the Keating Cross Road lab location, will move back to Saanich Peninsula Hospital in the weeks ahead. “We will share this information as plans are finalized,” said Island Health.
The majority of the COVID-related deaths in the province have been residents of long-term care and assisted living homes.
