Alberta Health has asked Alberta Health Services to work with the operator of a south Edmonton care centre amid a growing outbreak of COVID-19.
Alberta Health said Monday it has asked AHS to provide “oversight and leadership” at the Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre.
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health said five additional deaths at the facility linked to the outbreak were reported to Alberta Health over the weekend. So far, 12 residents at the home have died of COVID-19, according to Alberta Health and the Good Samaritan Society.
“We are taking this outbreak very seriously,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw said.
As of Monday afternoon, the Good Samaritan Society said there were 61 active cases of COVID-19 at the facility linked to the outbreak — 47 residents and 14 employees. Hinshaw said a total of 78 cases of COVID-19, including 12 deaths, have been linked to the outbreak so far.
Alberta Health said AHS will work with the Good Samaritan Society to “ensure that all processes and procedures are up to standard.”
“AHS is working with the operator to implement a plan to ensure the facility maintains full compliance within the next month, which includes securing necessary staff.”
Eight employees have recovered from COVID-19, according to the care centre’s operator.
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“On behalf of the entire organization, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those who have passed away — we are thinking of them during this difficult time,” interim president and CEO Michelle Bonnici said in a statement to Global News Monday afternoon.
Bonnici said the entire centre is grieving, and chaplaincy support is being provided to residents, families and employees as requested.
“I would like to assure the families with residents in our care that our top priority continues to be keeping their loved ones safe and providing them with the best care possible. We are following all public health orders and are working very closely with Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health.”
All asymptomatic residents were tested for the coronavirus again last week and Bonnici said they are awaiting the results. Employees will be tested again this week, and Bonnici said the facility will continue to work with AHS to “swab and test as necessary moving forward.”
Bonnici said outbreak protocols are in place and all precautions are being taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus at the centre. This includes restricting resident movement throughout the home. Employees are also wearing “appropriate personal protective equipment,” Bonnici said.
The following additional public health protocols are in place:
- Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces three times per day
- Cleaning and disinfecting low-touch areas daily
- Additional housekeeping staff brought in to assist with cleaning
- Outdoor visits have been cancelled
- Employees and residents screened twice per day, including temperature checks
- Additional staff hired, including nurses and health-care aides
Bonnici said AHS has also provided additional support, including nurse practitioners and registered nurses who are now on site.
“They are also looking to bring on some social workers, quality consultants, infection prevention and control practitioners and other staff as required – we are grateful for this support. In addition to Alberta Health Services, we are looking at other options for supplementing our staffing levels,” Bonnici said.
“Our top priority continues to be the safety of our residents and employees, and we are working cooperatively with all of our partners to reduce the risk of transmission. We are not in this alone, and we are appreciative of Alberta Health Services support and guidance at this time.”
The outbreak was declared at the facility on June 13, according to the Good Samaritan Society.
On Monday, Hinshaw reported 304 new cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths due to the disease in the province over the last three days.
“This is obviously a heartbreaking number to report. We cannot forget that this virus can have severe and even fatal impacts on our health,” Hinshaw said.
“I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost loved ones.”
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