Four people have died from COVID-19 as an outbreak at a retirement home in St. Albert continues to grow.
The St. Albert Chartwell Retirement Residence first reported an outbreak Dec. 8. The outbreak has since grown to 88 people. Sixty-three residents and 13 staff members had the virus as of Tuesday evening, while three residents and five staff members had been "resolved" (meaning they no longer test positive for COVID-19).
In an email to families on Dec. 22, which was shared to the Gazette, general manager Ola McIntosh confirmed a fourth person who tested positive for COVID-19 during the outbreak has died.
"Sadly, 4 residents who were tested positive during the outbreak for COVID-19 have passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family and loved ones of these individuals," wrote McIntosh.
A third round of asymptomatic testing of all residents and staff was done on Dec. 21, McIntosh wrote. Testing will continue each week until the "public health office declares it is no longer necessary," and families with questions about COVID-19 disease management and infection control were sent a link to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) website to "contact the government to submit your suggestions and questions about supportive living infection control and disease management."
"I can confirm that what has been recommended aligns with our own action plans," McIntosh wrote. This includes screening measures, monitoring residents of COVID-19 symptoms, and communication with families, the province and physicians, according to the email.
"We have an ample supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ongoing training and monitoring support. We continue to maintain increased environmental cleaning and disinfecting practices throughout the residence. We have also successfully recruited several new Health Care Aides and other support staff."
The Gazette has reached out to Chartwell Retirement Residences for comment.
As of Dec. 23, St. Albert had 336 active cases of COVID-19, according to provincial data.
Since the pandemic began, 1,461 cases have been diagnosed in St. Albert. To date, 1,115 people have recovered. Ten people have died.
The province is reporting three Chartwell Retirement Residences in Alberta have outbreaks of COVID-19, including the home in St. Albert and two in Edmonton. Chartwell is Canada's largest owner and operator of seniors living residences, with 196 residences and 29,300 suites under management.
As of Dec. 22, 32 Chartwell senior facilities countrywide have had outbreaks declared by public health officials.
