A COVID outbreak at AgeCare Valleyview in Medicine Hat has resulted in the deaths of three residents.--PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
A COVID outbreak at a Medicine Hat seniors’ residence has resulted in three deaths, says Alberta Health.
It is not clear when the COVID outbreak at AgeCare Valleyview started, but there have been 20 cases so far.
At this stage 12 people have recovered, five cases are currently active and three people have died, a spokesperson from Alberta Health said.
Requests for comment and information were made with AgeCare Valleyview. A spokesperson declined an interview but suggested the numbers were not accurate.
A spokesperson for Alberta Health says there are multiple reasons for any discrepancy.
“The facility may have been notified of cases that have not yet been linked to the facility in the reporting system. The number that I provided to you is what appeared at that time in our reporting system, and includes all cases linked to that outbreak, including staff. We are committed to transparency, and reporting information to Albertans as soon as we receive it,” the spokesperson said in an email.
A spokesperson for AgeCare Valleyview said during the outbreak over the last few months there were a total of seven positive cases of COVID among residents and that there are now no active cases in this category. The three deaths were residents.
In the same time frame there were 10 members of staff who tested positive for COVID and currently two cases are still active.
It is not clear what percentage of residents and staff have already been vaccinated.
The official website for Valleyview states it is communicating with families of residents.
“At AgeCare, we fully understand the critical role communication plays during a pandemic, and are committed to providing you with up-to-date information as it becomes available. Currently, weekly updates are sent by email to our families and shared with our staff and residents on-site,” the website states.
Daily updates are sent by email to families and there is a dedicated phone line for families to call.
A posting on March 5 indicates that rapid testing for staff is coming to AgeCare Valleyview and that an Alberta government announcement is expected in this regard.
