Outbreaks declared at two South zone facilities, including MHRH

By Medicine Hat News on January 21, 2021.

There are currently two COVID outbreaks in acute care facilities in the South zone.

Alberta Health Services reports on its website that an outbreak was declared on one unit at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Jan. 14.

Three patients linked to this specific unit tested positive for COVID -19 and two health-care workers linked to this unit also tested positive, for a total of five.

Visitation to this unit is restricted to designated family/support persons and end-of-life situations. The restrictions are in place to limit risk of transmission inside and from outside the hospital.

An outbreak was also declared at the Cardston Health Centre on Jan. 12 with two people having tested positive. Visitation is also restricted at this facility due to the outbreak.

An outbreak in an acute care or a continuing care facility, including group homes, is reported when there are two or more cases.

In prisons, correctional facilities, shelters, childcare settings, work camps, food processing/manufacturing facilities and public settings (restaurants, salons, gyms) are publicly reported when there are five or more cases.

Events, sports activities and other workplaces such as office buildings are reported when there are 10 or more positive cases, says Alberta Health’s website.

An outbreak is declared over when four weeks have passed since the last case tested positive.

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