The outbreak of COVID-19 at Royal Inland Hospital now stands at 79 total cases.

Interior Health reported five new cases yesterday and three more cases today. Of the 79 cases, 51 are staff of the hospital and 28 are patients.

Seventy-two of those cases are active, and there remains one death linked to the outbreak.

The outbreak is also now in two units of RIH according to the health authority; it originated in surgical unit 6 South, and as of yesterday it has also spread to unit 6 North, which happens to be the hospital’s designated COVID-19 ward.

“Although an outbreak is now declared on units 6 South and 6 North, there is no indication of COVID-19 spread to other areas of the hospital,” IH said yesterday.

All 51 staff members who have tested positive for the virus are isolating at home. It’s unclear how many of the 28 affected patients are hospitalized.

IH says the hospital remains safe for people to go to for appointments or emergencies, and asks people to continue with scheduled procedures.