Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed two people died at the St. Albert Retirement Residence this week.
One resident died on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and a second resident died on Wednesday, Oct. 28, wrote AHS spokesperson Sabrina Atwal in an email to the Gazette. This information is not yet reflected on the province's website. AHS did not provide any more information on the two people.
The news comes as more people test positive for COVID-19 at the St. Albert Retirement Residence.
There are currently 46 residents and 13 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19, totalling 59 active cases as of Oct. 29 according to AHS. This includes the two patients who have sadly passed away.
"On Monday, a fifth-round of client and staff asymptomatic testing was completed. The vast majority of cases have been identified through asymptomatic testing," Atwal wrote. "AHS leadership and Nurse Practitioners are onsite to assist with clinical oversight."
In an email sent to a resident’s family on Oct. 28, which was shared with the Gazette, St. Albert Retirement Residence executive director Craig Smith said they were awaiting results from the fifth round of tests. A nurse from AHS is also assisting staff in the building with assessing residents in the memory care ward several times a day, he wrote.
The Gazette broke news of the outbreak on Oct. 23, when there were 33 active cases of COVID-19 reported at the retirement home. The first case was reported to Alberta Health on Sept. 2.
The 183-suite private retirement residence has independent, assisted living and ’memory care’ suites for residents with cognitive conditions.
The Gazette has reached out to All Seniors Care Living Centres, which operates the facility, for more information.
As of Oct. 29, the province listed 125 people as currently diagnosed with COVID-19 in St. Albert. In total, 297 people have contracted the virus, and 170 people have recovered.
Senior home update
Two staff members and one resident have tested positive for COVID-19 at Ironwood Estates. One employee has recovered
“Fortunately, one employee has recovered, and the one resident who has tested positive remains asymptomatic," wrote Cam Johnson, Atria Senior Living regional vice-president, in an email to the Gazette.
"We continue to operate with escalated safety protocols at Ironwood Estates. This includes screening staff for temperatures and symptoms, monitoring residents for symptoms. We will continue to keep all our employees, residents and their families informed.”
There are now three active cases at the Youville Home in St. Albert. One additional staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 since Monday. As with the other positive two staff cases, this is also community-acquired, according to Karen Diaper, Covenant Health communications manager.
