EDMONTON -- A COVID-19 outbreak at a south Edmonton care home had infected more than 200 people as of Tuesday, while new outbreaks were declared at other care homes.
Since the outbreak began on Oct. 22, 89 residents and 120 staff members at South Terrace Continuing Care Centre have tested positive.
Twenty-seven residents have died.
"We are focused on providing the safest and best possible care to our residents during this difficult time," Revera's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Collins said in a written release. "We continue to work closely with Alberta Health Services officials to maintain pandemic outbreak protocols and infection control practices."
The outbreak at South Terrace is one of 24 active outbreaks in Edmonton care homes, three of which were declared in the last 24 hours.
“I am very concerned about growing outbreaks in continuing care facilities and met with operators and staff last week to get their input on how to move forward,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
The Edmonton Chinatown Care Centre and Capital Care’s Lynnwood facility are also experiencing high case numbers.
As of Monday, at the Chinatown Care Centre 45 residents and 42 staff have tested positive for COVID-19; 12 residents have died.
Capital Care Lynnwood currently has 84 infections.
"We take any outbreak in a congregate living facility very seriously and my local health colleagues are working to ensure that anyone at risk is tested, isolated, and properly supported," said Hinshaw.
Revera has added agency nurses and staff to help with housekeeping, screening and home surveillance duties and are working to recruit more staff.
Residents are checked for symptoms twice a day and given a test if they present any potential signs of coronavirus. They are all self-isolating in their rooms.
Staff are screened at the beginning and end of their shift and are required to wear PPE inside the facility.
