COVID-19 outbreak at Nanaimo care home claims two lives, Island Health confirms

COVID-19 outbreak at Nanaimo care home claims two lives, Island Health confirms
CHEK News
Island Health confirmed Tuesday evening that two people at the Chartwell Malaspina Care Residence long-term care facility in Nanaimo recently died from COVID-19.

An ongoing coronavirus outbreak at a Nanaimo long-term care facility has turned deadly.

Island Health confirmed Tuesday evening that two people at the Chartwell Malaspina Care Residence long-term care facility in Nanaimo recently died from COVID-19.

The deaths were among those announced by provincial health officials on Monday and last Friday, the health authority said.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of each of these individuals as they grieve the loss of a cherished loved one,” Island Health’s president and chief executive officer, Kathy MacNeil, said in a statement provided to CHEK News.

Malaspina Care Residence has been dealing with an active outbreak of COVID-19 since late December, resulting in seven residents and one staff member testing positive for the virus.

The Nanaimo facility is one of two facilities — the other being Hart House in Victoria — on Vancouver Island that is currently experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19.

“To the staff at Chartwell Malaspina Care Residence and Island Health staff involved, please know that the entire Island Health family is behind you and is thankful for the compassionate care you are providing during this difficult time,” MacNeil added.

An outbreak at the Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum assisted living facility in Duncan was declared over on Thursday.

None of the 12 deaths reported by officials today included individuals on Vancouver Island, according to Island Health. There have been 17 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 on Vancouver Island since the pandemic began.

Malaspina Care Residence is located on Eleventh Street in Nanaimo.

RELATED: Woman concerned about father living in care home dealing with COVID-19 outbreak

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Nicholas PescodNicholas Pescod

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