PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. -- Northern Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak on the Inpatient Unit at Bulkley Valley District Hospital in Smithers.

"At the time of the outbreak declaration, testing had identified four inpatients who have tested positive for COVID-19," reads a press release from Northern Health.

"One of the outbreak-associated patients has passed away, and Northern Health offers condolences to their family, friends and caregivers."

Monitoring and testing are underway to identify additional cases, and enhanced outbreak control measures are in place.

These measures include enhanced symptom monitoring, increased frequency of cleaning, limiting the movement of staff and patients, and restricting visits to essential visitors only.

Northern Health says the outbreak declaration does not include the maternity section of the hospital's inpatient unit at this time.