One more frail, elderly person has died of the mysterious respiratory illness laying siege to Victoria's Glengarry Hospital.
Vancouver Island Health Authority reported one person died Saturday as a result of the illness. The victim was one of three new cases revealed late last week on the Fairfield unit of the hospital.
Late last week, three staff members also came down with the illness.
Until then, the illness appeared to be restricted to the 70-bed Chandler unit of the 140-bed hospital. The Glengarry, on Fairfield Road, provides extended care to mostly elderly patients.
Initially, it appeared that 20 patients in the Chandler unit had fallen ill and nine had died. The people infected ranged in age from 81 to 97. Five of the dead were palliative-care patients.
Investigations and lab tests are continuing in an effort to identify the illness, which in its initial stages resembles a common cold with such symptoms as runny noses, coughing, chest congestion, feeling unwell and fever.
Tests have ruled out the A, B and H1N1 influenza strains as well as legionnaire's disease.
Until the outbreak is declared over, health officials are warning friends and family to stay away for now. If they must visit, they should be prepared to take extra precautions, like wearing a mask, a hospital gown and washing hands on entering and leaving the facility.
