COVID-19 outbreak at Royal Inland Hospital grows to 50 active cases

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health says the COVID-19 outbreak at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) has grown but it has not yet spread beyond the ward where it originated.

In a Zoom meeting with reporters Tuesday morning (Jan. 26), Public Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton said the outbreak now includes 50 active cases — 32 among staff and 18 among patients. One patient has died, bringing the total number of cases seen at the hospital to 51.

Fenton reported the outbreak is still contained to 6 South — the surgical unit where it originated — and 6 North, which is the hospital’s designated COVID-19 ward.

Fenton said, with 32 staff in isolation at home, all staff at the hospital are feeling extra pressure right now.

“All the staff at RIH are feeling stressed. They have been working very hard under unprecedented conditions requiring them to wear PPE that is uncomfortable all day,” said Fenton. “They deserve and appreciate and need our community’s support right now.”

Meantime, Fenton reported the outbreak at Gemstone Care Centre in Brocklehurst has not grown. That outbreak remains at 23 active cases — 16 residents and seven staff — and two deaths. Gemstone will have to complete two full incubation periods since the last new case before the outbreak can be declared over.

In Williams Lake, an outbreak at Cariboo Memorial Hospital is steady at 13 staff. No patients are affected.