A COVID-19 outbreak at a south Edmonton continuing care centre continues to grow, with one additional death related to the disease reported Friday.
In an update on its website Friday morning, Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre said there are 34 active cases of COVID-19 in residents at the facility. In addition, there are nine active cases of the novel coronavirus in staff members.
Two residents have died of COVID-19; the first death was reported earlier this week and the second on Friday morning. Alberta Health said the death reported Friday was a woman in her 90s.
So far, one resident and four employees have recovered, according to the Good Samaritan Society.
Alberta Health said Friday it has been notified of 40 cases linked to the outbreak — 31 active cases, seven recovered and two deaths.
A spokesperson with Alberta Health said there are a number of reasons Alberta Health’s numbers might not match the facility’s totals, including that the society may know of cases that have not yet been linked to the facility in the provincial reporting system.
“We will update Albertans as we are notified of additional cases in this or any other outbreak,” Tom McMillan said Friday.
The number of cases at the facility has grown since Alberta’s chief medical officer of health provided an update on the outbreak on Thursday. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Thursday that the outbreak included 31 total cases — 23 active, seven recovered and one death.
Family with mother who contracted COVID-19 at care centre raises concerns
Ken Kozoway’s mother Helen has been at Good Samaritan Southgate for approximately one year. The 94-year-old is living with dementia and Kozoway said the separation from her has been difficult.
“I miss her, even though she can’t remember [me]. She looked after me [growing up]. I’m trying to look after her,” he said.
Kozoway said his family was informed Tuesday that his mother tested positive for COVID-19.
“My mom’s 94. I just hope she doesn’t suffer. She already has breathing problems as it is,” he said.
He is frustrated by the rising case numbers at the facility and is grappling with how the virus entered the facility in the first place.
“How did she get it? Because there are no visitors allowed. How did this happen? How?”
Kozoway is also upset what the facility’s communication with his family about his mother’s health.
“There’s no transparency.”
In a statement to Global News, interim president and CEO of the Good Samaritan Society Michelle Bonnici said it isn’t known how exactly how the virus entered the building.
She said outbreak protocols are in place, all asymptomatic residents are being retested, resident movement throughout the home is being restricted and employees are wearing appropriate PPE.
Bonnici also said enhancing cleaning protocols are in place, outdoor visits have been cancelled and employees and residents are screened twice a day, including temperature checks.
“Our employees and residents are doing as well as can be during this difficult time,” she said in the statement.
Bonnici also said the facility is in contact with employees, residents and loved ones about the situation.
“With over 200 residents at the care home, employees are doing their best to keep all of the families up to date with specific information on cases while actively providing care,” Bonnici said.
“We understand that this issue is happening in real time, and we also understand families have important questions that need answers. We are undertaking recording videos to share information and to provide answers to questions.”
Alberta eases visitor restrictions at continuing care facilities
On Thursday, Hinshaw announced the province plans to ease visitor restrictions at continuing care facilities.
Starting next Thursday, July 23, Alberta will shift from a “restricted access” to a “safe access” approach. This means each facility will create a local visitor policy specific to its site after consulting with residents, family and staff.
Under the new policy, each resident will be able to designate two support people — up from one under the previous restrictions.
Those two people will be able to visit as often as they like and for as long as they like, as long as they co-ordinate with the facility.
Depending on the residents’ health, outdoor visits will be allowed with up to four additional visitors and will no longer require one of those visitors to be the designated support person.
“While the baseline for the number of visitors allowed will be open somewhat for all facilities, we are also setting out the possibility that some facilities may be less restrictive if their residents collectively agree to assume more risk,” Hinshaw said.
“There are no risk-free options with COVID-19,” she said. “This virus is still here and residents in these facilities remain uniquely vulnerable.
“At the same time, we must also consider the overall health and well-being of those residents and the risks of isolation brought on by strict, universally applied visitor restrictions.”
On Thursday, Alberta recorded its highest daily jump in COVID-19 cases since early May. An additional 120 cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday, along with two additional deaths.
With files from Kirby Bourne.