Provincial numbers up slightly
Calgary has 11 listed COVID-19 outbreaks, but just four of facilities have active cases
Only four of the listed outbreaks in the Calgary zone still had active cases as Alberta Health Services reported 11 fewer active cases of COVID -19 in the Calgary zone on Wednesday.
As of Wednesday’s update, there were 219 active cases in Calgary and area, but the vast majority of those cases were not connected to the 11 official workplace and continuing-care centre outbreaks listed on AHS’ website. Provincewide, there were 538 active cases, six more than reported on Tuesday, though another 44 cases were confirmed by AHS on Wednesday.
Although only four of the outbreaks in the Calgary zone have active cases, the remaining seven locations will stay on the list until they’ve met the criteria and been declared over by AHS officials. Mckenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre is one example of a significant outbreak that no longer appears on the list because it was cleared after 94 recoveries and 20 deaths.
The ongoing outbreaks with active cases include Carewest Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre with two, Hillcrest Extendicare with six, Intercare Brentwood with one and Cargill staff and contractors with one. About five per cent of active cases in the Calgary zone are directly tied to these outbreaks.
Although it hasn’t yet been listed online as an official outbreak, AHS has sent a letter to all residents of
Verve Tower condominium in East Village saying there is a growing outbreak of more than 10 cases among residents of the building.
“AHS is working closely with building management to ensure your safety. We will continue to monitor the site closely for cases and to investigate the source of spread. We are investigating both direct person-to-person and surface spread as potential modes of transmission,” says the letter to residents, obtained by Postmedia.
Firstservice Residential, manager of the tower, sent a letter to residents advising them to wear masks in common spaces, limit visitation to essential persons only and limit deliveries, and all residents are encouraged to get tested.
Outbreaks at Carewest Colonel Belcher, Intercare Chinook Care Centre, Calgary Drop-in Rehab Centre Society, Cascades Recovery+, Fibrebuilt Manufacturing, Harmony meat-packing plant and Purolator have all reached zero active cases but haven’t met the criteria to be declared over.
AHS declares an outbreak at a particular location once it’s met a certain threshold of cases. It is only declared to be over 14 days after isolation is completed in the last reported case, and after public health officials confirm there have been no individuals who are ill during those weeks.
On Wednesday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, posted on Twitter in lieu of a news conference to encourage people to “foster an environment where people are supported to do the right thing” when they address new cases as they come and reach out for guidance.
“For businesses, this means respecting and following the guidance that we have put out. For customers, this means showing compassion and kindness to staff if our outings look a little different, or if things take a little longer because of measures to keep us safe,” Hinshaw posted.
Hinshaw said during Tuesday’s update that a number of Edmonton restaurants closed temporarily due to possible or confirmed COVID -19 exposure over the past few days. They are not listed as outbreaks, however, and were not ordered to close by AHS.
“These closures were operational decisions made by the owners of these restaurants. … As we move forward we will continue to see some new cases in all sectors, including the food-service industry,” said Hinshaw.
“I haven’t heard recently of any restaurants closing in Calgary because of confirmed cases.”
In total, AHS has completed 409,352 tests and has confirmed 7,825 cases. Recoveries sat at 7,134 Wednesday while the death toll remained at 153, with no new deaths reported.
There were 36 people in hospital in Alberta due to COVID -19, including seven requiring intensive care. On Tuesday, there were 37 hospitalizations, with six intensive-care unit admissions.