No more cases at Masterpiece since positive staff test

There have been no additional cases of COVID-19 at Masterpiece since an employee was confirmed positive last week.

“As of (Monday), we do not have any additional cases of COVID-19 in either staff or residents,” said Paula Isfeld, vice president of care, Masterpiece Southland Meadows seniors’ residence.

On Friday Isfeld confirmed that the results of a COVID-19 test for an employee had been positive.

Masterpiece has been working with Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and public health to ensure the safety and health of everyone in the building.

Since early March, Masterpiece instituted strict protocols to protect residents and staff. Along the way additional measures were also introduced including staff completing a health questionnaire twice a day in addition to temperature checks.

Isfeld said it was as a result of these protocols that early symptoms, which appear to have originated from outside the building, were identified and the employee was tested.

The employee did not enter the building with symptoms at any time.

“If we weren’t following what we were supposed to be doing the staff member could have been in our building, they could have been symptomatic and transferring these germs around the building,” said Isfeld. “It’s because we were doing exactly what we were supposed to be doing, that ‘s why we caught it.”

Isfeld says they are also screening residents and taking temperatures every day to identify immediately if someone has symptoms. There are no residents with COVID.

“Testing has been available for anyone who wants to get tested and Alberta Health Services is supporting them with these requests,” said Isfeld.