Alberta Health says family gatherings helped to spike COVID cases

By Gillian Slade Alberta Newspaper Group on March 17, 2021.

Alberta Health has identified family gatherings as a significant factor in the high rate of COVID cases in the province, but it is not clear whether Christmas contributed.

In one week, March 8-14, the number of active cases in Lethbridge increased by more than 160. There have been outbreaks in seniors’ residences this year contributing to the overall numbers.

The View in Lethbridge had a total of 92 cases and six deaths, but there are none currently active at the facility. Alpha House had 80 cases, four active, and one death.

Alberta Health says there were 20 cases and three deaths connected with an outbreak at AgeCare Valleyview in Medicine Hat. Only a handful are still active.

Alberta Health declined to answer questions about whether contact tracing had been able to establish if family gatherings, particularly over Christmas, contributed to the outbreaks.

Alberta Health’s Sherene Khaw says vaccination began in January for staff and residents at long-term care and designated supportive living facilities across the province.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines show protection 12-14 days after the first dose. High efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 disease is achieved one or two weeks after the second dose, said Khaw.

Additional protective measures in facilities have been put in place more recently.

“Since February, rapid tests have been shipped to all 366 AHS-contracted long-term care and designated supportive living sites,” said Khaw. “Rapid screening supports, but does not replace other health measures in place at each facility.”

Alberta Health does not provide details of the percentage of residents or staff that have been vaccinated.

Khaw says more information is still needed to understand the effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing transmission, including variant transmission. This is why Albertans, even those who have been vaccinated, are asked to continue to follow public health measures such as wearing a non-medical mask and maintaining physical distancing.

Khaw says action is taken to limit spread with any outbreak.

“All positive cases are isolated, aggressive contact tracing is implemented to ensure anyone at risk of exposure is contacted, isolated and tested, and health officials investigate possible sources of transmission and any epidemiological links,” said Khaw.

Testing is also offered to all symptomatic and asymptomatic staff in an outbreak setting.

There is also a requirement that continuing care and acute-care facilities immediately alert health officials and implement outbreak protocols as soon as a single suspected, probable or confirmed case is identified in residents or staff.

This is a precautionary measure. AHS officials may provide assistance around cleaning, testing, or other support needed to protect public health, Khaw said.

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