Twelve deaths have been reported from the outbreak at Chartwell St. Albert.
The outbreak was declared on Dec. 8. There are currently 27 residents and 16 staff members who are positive for COVID-19, while 57 residents and 18 staff have recovered from the virus.
On Tuesday, Sharon Ranalli, Chartwell vice-president of marketing and communications, said in email that overcoming the outbreak at Chartwell St. Albert remains their highest priority.
"Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family and loved ones of these individuals," Ranalli said.
In total, 96 residents and 34 staff members have tested positive since the outbreak began. There are 208 residents living inside the facility.
The spokesperson said the severity of the outbreak at Chartwell St. Albert is related to the nature of the COVID-19 virus, the rate of community spread and the tools currently available to manage the spread in a congregate setting with an older population.
"We know that this is an exceptionally difficult time and the deep concern this creates for our residents, their family members, our staff and the entire community. We will continue to support our residents through this with the support of our staff and health care partners," Ranalli said.
Five of the most recent deaths at Chartwell were reported by the province on Monday after a break in reporting for the holidays. Those, plus the death of one person at the St. Albert Retirement Residence, mean 21 St. Albertans have so far died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began last March.
As of Monday, St. Albert had 248 active cases of COVID-19, dropping down from the 301 last reported on Dec. 30.
Over the five-day period between Dec. 30 and Jan. 3, the city added 69 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,675 since the pandemic began.
In the same period, another 116 St. Albertans recovered, bringing the recoveries up from 1,290 to 1,406.
Sturgeon County currently has 51 active cases of COVID-19, the lowest active cases reported since Nov. 17. The county has 475 people who have recovered from the virus.
Morinville currently has 57 active cases, the lowest active cases since Dec. 8. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 264 people have recovered from the virus.
