Update
This article has been updated with additional information from Alberta Health Services
A patient at the Sturgeon Community Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting Alberta Health Services (AHS) to declare a "small" outbreak at that hospital.
On Monday afternoon, Alberta's chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced there was a "small number of cases" at the hospital.
In response to follow-up questions from the Gazette, AHS stated in an email the patient was transferred from the Sturgeon to the Edmonton General Hospital's restorative/sub-acute unit on April 21.
AHS stated the case is considered an outbreak at the Sturgeon because the individual may have acquired COVID-19 while they were in the hospital. The case is being investigated.
"We have had no related cases to date. Following contact tracing there have been no additional patient infections identified," stated Kerry Williamson, executive director of issues management for AHS' communications department, in an email.
"There is no increased risk to patients coming to our hospitals. Our units continue to be a safe and appropriate place to receive care."
St. Albert city councillor Ken MacKay said overall St. Albertans have been doing a great job at flattening the curve but the outbreak at the hospital is “cause for some awareness."
“We still need to be aware and that our efforts so far have been very successful at flattening the curve,” MacKay said.
The councillor said now that the weather has started to get nicer, there will be some uneasiness from residents who want to get out and enjoy a typical summer and use things like playgrounds. But MacKay said residents will have to continue to follow the directions of the chief medical officer to keep the rate of infection low in the city.
The guidelines for COVID-19 outbreaks mean there are restrictions in place, including restrictions on transfers and new admissions, as well as additional environmental cleaning.
Williamson said there is also enhanced screening and surveillance for all health care workers, patients and support people.
Hinshaw made the announcement during her daily afternoon update Monday.
“Numbers may change over the coming days as more is understood about these situations,” Hinshaw said.
Hinshaw said it is good they caught the cases early so now AHS can take the proper steps to limit further infections.
“Precautionary steps are taken when even a single case is identified in an acute care facility,” Hinshsaw said.
The case was limited to a single unit and was not spread throughout the site.
The Sturgeon was one of two hospitals with a “small” outbreak, along with the Royal Alexandra hospital in Edmonton. The two outbreaks are not connected.
“Stringent processes are in place to limit the spread and hospitals remain safe thanks to the diligent efforts of healthcare workers," Hinshaw said.
As of Monday, there had been 30 cases of COVID-19 in St. Albert, with six being active and the remaining 24 people having recovered. Previously, the city had been sitting at 27 cases for around a week.
There had been 12 cases of COVID-19 in Sturgeon County, with two active and 10 recovered.
The Gazette could not reach Mayor Cathy Heron for an interview by press time.
