Officials with Alberta Health Services (AHS) said officials were responding to an increase in the number of patients who are experiencing symptoms consistent with viral gastroenteritis at a number of reception centres in Alberta.
On Tuesday, AHS said as of 4 p.m. on Monday, May 9, reception centres in the Edmonton Zone, Central Zone and Calgary Zone were dealing with 118 cases between them.
The most cases have been reported in Edmonton, where 105 cases have been recorded, in central Alberta, nine cases have been reported, with four in Calgary.
Despite the spread of the illness, AHS said evacuation and reception centres are safe for anyone who is currently staying there or anyone planning to go to one.
AHS staff is working to limit the spread of the virus, and Environmental Public Health staff, Infection Prevention and Control staff, Medical staff, EMS crews and Nurse Practitioners are at these centres.
Officials said separate housing areas for ill individuals at these centres is being explored or implemented – on Monday, AHS said it was being provided to patients staying at the Expo Centre.
AHS is urging individuals at these centres to wash their hands thoroughly, not prepare food for anyone if they are ill, and to use hand sanitizer.
