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RCMP bomb unit confirms package at Victoria General Hospital not explosive

Island Health says hospital operations weren’t impacted
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Cst. Lewis and police dog Halla swept the exterior of the Victoria General Hospital May 4 after a suspicious package was found just outside the hospital. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

A package discovered at Victoria General Hospital Tuesday morning looked suspicious but wasn’t explosive, RCMP confirmed.

West Shore RCMP were called on May 4 around 10 a.m. after staff noticed a small package, wrapped in electrical tape with wires coming out of it, left near the COVID-19 testing tent. Police secured the scene and an explosives trained police service dog was also on site. The RCMP explosives disposal unit came from Vancouver and gave the all clear around 3 p.m.

A Black Press Media reporter at the scene said explosives unit members did not wear extra protective gear as they took the device apart just before 1:30 p.m.

Island Health said hospital operations were not impacted, with one entrance cordoned off by police and a handful of administrative staff evacuated.

Police asked people to avoid the south side of the hospital and to use the north entrance (next to the emergency department) earlier in the day.

READ: Outbreak officially over at Victoria’s Mount St. Mary care home


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