Several health care facilities in central Alberta are dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.
Four hospitals had outbreaks as of Oct. 31.
Another seven outbreaks were reported at supportive living/home living sites, and six outbreaks at long term care sites as of Oct. 23, but the names of those sites were not provided in Alberta’s COVID-19 online statistics.
Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre has outbreaks at two inpatient units. Four people have tested positive in connection with an outbreak declared Oct. 14, and five people tested positive from an outbreak declared on Oct. 3.
Outbreaks were also identified at the following community hospitals:
• 11 people tested positive from an outbreak declared Sept. 29 in acute care at Innisfail Health Centre.
• Six people tested positive from an outbreak declared Oct. 11 in acute care at Three Hills Health Centre.
• Two people tested positive from an outbreak declared Oct. 9 at Tofield Health Centre.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) defines an outbreak as two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases in residents, or staff who worked while symptomatic, with an epidemiological link between the cases that occurred within a seven day period. The outbreak remains open for 14 days after the onset of the last resident case.
According to AHS protocol, outbreak control measures would have been implemented on each affected hospital unit.
All AHS outbreak procedures must also be followed when there is an outbreak in a continuing care or long-term care facility, AHS said in a statement.
“AHS takes all outbreaks at continuing care facilities extremely seriously. AHS is here to support all staff, residents and their loved ones,” said AHS.
“An AHS medical officer of health and local AHS outbreak management teams are in regular contact with any site on outbreak, to oversee the outbreak and address any new needs or concerns. This includes directing the implementation of strict infection prevention and control measures, such as isolating any residents who have tested positive or are suspected to have COVID-19, influenza or other communicable diseases.”
AHS said local medical officers of health are also able to put in place additional enhanced safety measures as deemed appropriate based on local context and to support reducing transmission of viruses.