Photo: Castanet Staff

Eight positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded in a single unit at Royal Inland Hospital, prompting Interior Health to declare an outbreak.

According to a bulletin put out by the health authority, six patients and two staff had tested positive in 6 South as of Friday morning.

“Although 6 South is a surgical unit, RIH surgeries are continuing at this time,” the bulletin said.

“Patients admitted after surgery will receive care on a different floor and 6 South is closed to admissions until further notice.”

According to IH, the hospital is safe to attend “for appointments or emergency care.”

“Please continue with any scheduled procedures and COVID-19 self-isolation is not required after visiting the hospital,” the bulletin said.

A team of infection control and communicable disease specialists is meeting daily to ensure all possible measures are being taken to curb the spread of the virus at RIH.

“Our staff and physicians have worked hard to keep COVID-19 out of the hospital, which was no simple feat considering the number of communities served by RIH,” said Dr. Carol Fenton, Kamloops medical health officer.

“Now we will work together to quickly contain this outbreak and support the staff and patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.”