COVID-19 outbreak declared at St. Boniface Hospital after 2 patients contract illness

An outbreak has been declared at Winnipeg's St. Boniface Hospital after two patients contracted COVID-19 within hospital.

A letter to staff and physicians Friday, which CBC obtained a copy of, says a "cluster" of COVID-19 cases connected to the E6 unit was recently identified,prompting the testing of all contacts who were potentially exposed between Oct. 5 and Oct. 16.

That unit is now closed to admissions and visitation is restricted, though the hospital remains open.

"The hospital is safe for patients and other approved visitors/essential designated support persons," says the internal letter.

CBC News reached out to St. Boniface Hospital for comment. A spokesperson referred CBC News to the hospital's website for information about the outbreak.