– Meadowlands has now lost five residents since mid December

A COVID outbreak reported at a local seniors’ residence is now linked to five deaths.

Meadowlands Retirement Residence in Medicine Hat revealed on Dec. 30 that nine residents had tested positive since the outbreak began on Dec. 19, and sadly two deaths were linked to it. There was also one member of staff who had tested positive.

Alberta Health says the number of cases has increased considerably, according to data available Tuesday.

“Alberta Health had been notified of 27 cases linked to this outbreak. Of these, nine are currently active, 13 have recovered and, sadly, there have been five deaths,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director of communications, in an email on Wednesday.

Meadowlands did not respond to request for comment on Wednesday .

In the press release on Dec. 30, Dr. Rhonda Collins, chief medical officer for Revera, said the team at Meadowlands was working closely with public health officials and was maintaining pandemic outbreak protocols and infection control practices.

Residents were isolated in their suites and being monitored for symptoms twice a day. They were also having their meals served to them in their own rooms.

All staff are screened at the beginning and end of their shifts and are required to wear an appropriate mask and eye protection while in the residence.

Enhanced cleaning had also been put in place, which included frequent disinfecting of surfaces that people touch, such as handrails and doors in common areas, or the suites of residents and staff rooms.

Instead of recreation therapy in groups there are individual activities for residents now.

Visiting is suspended except for essential situations.

Collins said in that statement that Revera “continues to do everything we can to keep our residents and employees safe as we work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at our retirement residences and long-term care homes.”