Outbreaks in Brooks now include fast-food restaurant

By GILLIAN SLADE on May 5, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

There have been four specific outbreaks of COVID-19 in Brooks and the latest is at a McDonald’s restaurant.

Alberta Health said on Monday morning there were seven cases at the fast-food restaurant and AHS is providing assistance at that location.

There are also outbreaks at two seniors’ residences in Brooks. Alberta Health says there are seven cases at Orchard Manor and 19 cases in AgeCare Sunrise Gardens. There has been one death at one of these residences.

Dr. Lizette Elumir, medical officer of health in the Alberta Health Services south zone, recently stated that AHS has regular meetings with officials from each of the residences. These meetings ensure compliance with staffing levels, swabbing for tests and making sure there is adequate personal protective equipment available.

Elumir says the operators are complying and going above and beyond the minimum requirements.

According to Alberta Health’s data released on Monday, Brooks has had a total of 998 COVID-19 positive cases, and a total of 235 people have already recovered. There have been five deaths in Brooks linked to the virus.

Two of those deaths and many of the positive cases are linked to an outbreak at the JBS meat processing plant.

Elumir said AHS has been working closely with JBS officials and many changes have been made in that plant.

The close working relationship with JBS has been mutually beneficial, said Elumir. JBS provides housing units for some of the staff in Brooks. Officials have enabled AHS to make contact quickly with employees who tested positive.

The city has also worked diligently to make appropriate isolation spaces available for those who need to be segregated while they self-isolate.

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