Two people at the Chartwell St. Albert Retirement Residences have died from COVID-19 as staff and residents work to contain a large outbreak that rapidly grew to at least 58 cases in one week.
An outbreak was declared at the senior home on Hebert Road on Dec. 8, according to Chartwell's website. As of Dec. 15, results from asymptomatic testing showed at least 46 residents and 12 staff members had tested positive for COVID-19, according to facility emails sent to families which were shared with the Gazette. The emails state two residents have died from the virus.
"It is with deep regret that we share that two resident deaths in our home have been attributed to COVID-19. We extend our sincere sympathy to the family members of these two residents and all families of Chartwell St. Albert, and our staff, for whom this is very difficult news to hear," wrote Ola McIntosh, general manager at the facility, in an email to families on Tuesday.
Residents have been isolating in their suites since Dec. 6, and all staff exhibiting any symptoms or with positive results are isolating at home, according to the facility. Five new staff members will start on Tuesday to fill vacant staff positions, McIntosh wrote.
At the same time, the facility is starting another round of testing of all asymptomatic residents and staff with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Ministry of Health. Many of the residents at the retirement home who have tested positive are experiencing no symptoms, McIntosh wrote.
"The Team at Chartwell St. Albert have worked tirelessly over the last months to implement every possible measure to safeguard the health and well-being of our residents and staff. Alberta Health Services has been onsite over the course of the outbreak to help support the home and to review the protocols we have in place," McIntosh wrote.
"We know you are concerned for your loved one and how hard it is to be separated at a time like this. Please know how hard our staff are working to be there for your loved one, not just for care, but also with compassion, support and kindness knowing how especially hard it is for them to be missing you as well."
Health officials are working with the operator to make sure mandatory protocols are in place, including strict infection prevention and control measures, resident and staff screening, and enhanced cleaning measures, said Tom McMillan, Alberta Health spokesperson, in an email to the Gazette.
"It is critical that we continue to protect our seniors, in and out of continuing care. They are at a higher risk of severe outcomes. Regular testing is being offered to all residents and staff to identify cases and limit the spread," wrote McMillan.
The outbreak at Chartwell's St. Albert home is not yet listed on the province's COVID-19 website. The retirement home has suites for independent and assisted living.
The province has listed four current outbreaks in St. Albert, including the Grandin Medical Clinic, Citadel Care Centre, Covenant Health Youville Home, and the St. Albert Retirement Residence. Outbreaks in acute care and continuing care facilities are reported publicly when two or more people test positive for COVID-19, and are declared over when four weeks go by without any new cases, according to the province.
St. Albert's active case count grew by 112 people over the weekend, bringing the number of active cases to 375 people on Monday. The deaths of two more St. Albert residents were reported over the weekend, bringing the official death toll to six, though several COVID-related deaths that occurred at the St. Albert Retirement Residence earlier this fall are not reflected in those numbers.
In total, 1,221 St. Albertans have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Of those, 840 people have recovered.
