Edmonton hospital shuts due to COVID-19 outbreak
3 patients die, 15 staff among 35 infected
Edmonton’s Misericordia hospital is effectively shutting its doors to battle a “full facility” COVID-19 outbreak that has now left three patients dead and another 20 patients and 15 staff infected, Alberta health Services said Wednesday.
No patients will be admitted to the hospital and day procedures and visits will be postponed or rescheduled at another Edmonton hospital. Admitted patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 are being treated on two units within the hospital.
The shutdown includes the Emergency department. People are being asked to visit one of the other hospitals within the Edmonton Zone or call 911.
“In order to reduce the risk of further transmission of COVID-19, all services at the Misericordia are temporarily closed to incoming patients. Patients are being contacted and will be cared for and/or rescheduled at another Edmonton hospital. We appreciate your patience at this time,” says the AHS in a statement.
“This step is a necessary extension of the progressive outbreak restrictions put in place on July 6, with those restrictions now encompassing all patient services at the Misericordia.”
The hospital will permit visitors for “end-of-life situations only.” Arrangements will be made for expectant mothers to deliver at a nearby hospital.
AHS and Covenant health are working as a team to tackle the outbreak.
“Activating the full facility outbreak is necessary at this time to protect patients, staff and physicians. We acknowledge the challenges these additional restrictions create for patients, families, staff and physicians,” said dr. david Zygun, medical director, AHS Edmonton Zone, in a Wednesday news release.
“Ongoing transmission means that this is a necessary step to protect patients, staff and physicians and to ensure that the outbreak can be managed as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
The death of the 70-yearold man announced Tuesday brought the facility’s death toll to three. A death announced Monday at the Misericordia, also a man in his 70s, was added to the provincial numbers after an internal issue delayed its addition.
AHS had on Monday announced the Misericordia was closed to new admissions and transfers for medical and surgical patients. But the emergency room remained open and certain areas of the hospital, such as women’s health services, addiction and mental health services and critical care, remained open for patient care.