COVID under control at only local seniors’ home with outbreak
By GILLIAN SLADE on August 12, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade About a month ago the first local death reportedly linked to COVID-19 was connected to South Country Village seniors’ residence near the airport. At the time the number of positive cases at the residence was four, and then climbed to 10. Alberta Health says it has all quietened down there. “There are currently no active cases. There are nine recovered and one death,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director communication for Alberta Health. The outbreak has not yet been declared “closed” by AHS, he said. “This can occur two incubation periods (28 days) after the last identified case,” said McMillan. Seniors’ residences in Medicine Hat have had relatively few positive cases of COVID-19, with South Country Village being the only one with residents who tested positive. There was one additional COVID-19 related death in Medicine Hat announced by Alberta Health this week. Alberta Health does not provide details of specific cases due to privacy concerns. Some data is available on Alberta Health’s website for the south zone, which includes Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Brooks and the surrounding area. There were eight deaths reportedly linked to COVID-19 in the south zone during April. All were more than 70 years old except for one individual who was between the ages of 40 and 49. In May and June there were three deaths with all more than 70 years old. July had the highest number of deaths at nine. Two of the people were in their 60s, one in their 70s and six more than 80 years old. In general, 73.9 per cent (147 people) of deaths attributed to COVID-19 for the whole province have been related to people who had three or more other health issues, 16.1 per cent (32 people) had two other health conditions, seven per cent (14 people) had one other health issue and only three per cent (a total of six people) had no other health issues. 15-14
