Island Health has identified four more people who contracted COVID-19 at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
An outbreak was declared at the hospital on December 1 after one staff member and five patients tested positive for the virus.
Now, after more transmission, one patient and three staff members were also found to have COVID-19, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases at the hospital to 10.
According to Island Health, the outbreak is limited to acute care areas, and the emergency department remains open.
Outpatient services, including lab and medical imaging, remain open but the hospital is closed to acute admissions.
The statement from the health authority says dedicated COVID-19 units have been established at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital to safely care for patients with COVID-19.
An Island Health representative has confirmed to Victoria Buzz that three of the six patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have been discharged from Saanich Peninsula Hospital and are isolating at home, while the other three have been transferred to Royal Jubilee Hospital.
It remains unclear whether any of the staff members who tested positive from the Saanich Peninsula Hospital outbreak will be or have been transferred to other hospitals for care.
