Outbreak at Meadowlands seniors’ residence down to two active

A local seniors’ residence where a COVID-19 outbreak began at the end of December now has very few active cases, says Alberta Health.

Meadowlands Retirement Residence in Medicine Hat revealed on Dec. 30 that nine residents had tested positive since an outbreak began on Dec. 19.

Alberta Health updated the numbers on Thursday.

“Alberta Health has been notified of 26 cases linked to this outbreak. Of these, two are active, 19 recovered and, sadly, there have been five deaths,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director communications Alberta Health.

There have been no additional deaths after the five announced on Jan. 20.

When the outbreak was announced initially, Meadowlands stated it was working closely with public health officials and was maintaining pandemic outbreak protocols and infection control practices.

Some of the measures included residents remaining in their own suites even for meals and being monitored for symptoms twice a day.

Staff were being screened at the started and end of each shift and were wearing appropriate masks and eye protection while in the residence.

Enhanced cleaning had also been put in place plus recreation therapy had been changed from group activities to individual ones.