116 long-term care home outbreaks ahead of Alberta loosening single-site worker rules
Alberta is seeing a jump in long-term care home (LTHC) outbreaks as the province prepares to loosen rules brought in to stop the spread of COVID-19 between facilities.
The province had 116 facilities with at least five cases each on Friday.
In Edmonton, the number of LTCH outbreaks rose from four on Jan. 4 to 38 on Jan. 28, according to provincial data.
There were also more than 75 outbreaks in other types of supportive living facilities in the city.
At Charwell Griesbach, where there's more than 80 cases, a resident named Martha was out for a walk Friday afternoon.
"Most of us that live in here have all three shots, plus the flu shot, so I'm not worried," Martha told CTV News Edmonton.
She stays on her floor, and is able to have visitors. She's not confined to her room like some other facilities did in previous waves.
"We get our food in our rooms. I get all of my vaccinations, and I'm not sick."
At Villa Caritas, a geriatric psychiatric facility in west Edmonton, 120 people recently tested positive. About 80 per cent of patients that live there had COVID-19, and four people died.
"We offer our deepest condolences to the patients’ families and loved ones at this difficult time," said Karen Diaper with Covenant Health, the operator of Villa Caritas.
"We are grateful for the dedicated staff for their compassionate care of our patients and each other as we navigate the pandemic."
'EVEN LESS WORKERS AND THERE IS SERIOUS NEGLECT'
Next month, the province plans to relax rules for staff at long-term care homes. Workers will be permitted to go to multiple homes, something that's been restricted for almost two years.
"The good news is, so far we're seeing the hospitalization and severe outcome ratios of the cases in these settings being much lower than in previous waves," Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Thursday.
"Unfortunately, in some cases, we have seen larger outbreaks. But, we're trying to balance the emotional supports, the connection with the people that these residents care about, the COVID protections, and the care needs."
A local seniors advocate fears Alberta hasn't learned from previous waves.
"Nothing has changed," said Ruth Adria, with the Elder Advocates of Alberta Society.
While the Omicron wave doesn't appear as deadly for vaccinated people, she believes the system continues to fail elders with underfunded and overworked staff and a lack of oversight.
"Because of COVID-19 and Omicron there are even less workers, and there is serious neglect," Adria said.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Touria Izri
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.