Island Health has confirmed that the person who died of COVID-19 in the region today had contracted the virus during the outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
The total death toll associated with that outbreak has now increased to two people. No further details will be released about the identity of the deceased, out of respect for their privacy.
In addition, two more staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in relation to that outbreak.
All in all, eight staff members and nine patients were infected at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
“The testing continues to confirm that the outbreak is limited to acute care areas of the hospital and no new sources of transmission have been identified since the outbreak was declared on December 1,” reads the statement from Island Health.
The hospital is closed to acute care admissions but the emergency department remains open.
In a statement released late last week, Island Health announced they have temporarily moved their laboratory service outpatient collections to their Keating Cross Road lab, located at 2140A Keating Cross Road.
There were 10 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region Wednesday.
In total, there have been a total of 750 cases of COVID-19 in the region, eight of whom have died.
