Alberta Health Services has declared a COVID-19 outbreak on three units at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary after 10 patients and two staff members tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
AHS said the outbreak was initially declared on one unit on Saturday but had grown to include three units by Sunday.
Officials said outbreak control measures have been implemented on the three units.
“All at-risk patients on the units are being offered testing,” AHS said in a statement to Global News. “Contact tracing for anyone potentially exposed to these individuals is ongoing.”
“We anticipate this situation will continue to evolve as test results come in and we will provide daily updates,” AHS communications manager Melissa Ballantyne said.
“While we appreciate it may be difficult for some, visitors to the units are limited to only end-of-life situations until further notice.”
The health authority said all AHS facilities follow “rigorous infection prevention and control standards,” saying that health-care workers are asked to self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure risk using a screening tool in addition to masking.
“The Foothills Medical Centre remains a safe place to visit and to receive care. There is no increased risk to patients coming to the hospital,” AHS said.
“Any patient with symptoms, or who has tested positive for COVID-19, is isolated and treated in designated rooms.”