Few symptoms at seniors’ home outbreaks

By LAUREN THOMSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 16, 2021.

lthomson@medicinehatnews.com

There are four confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks in Medicine Hat and area listed on the Government of Alberta website, with an additional and unlisted outbreak confirmed at a seniors’ residence, where cases are spiking among residents and staff members.

The official Alberta COVID-19 information website is updated twice weekly. It currently lists South Country Village and Chinook Village, both seniors’ residences in Medicine Hat, as outbreak locations in the South Zone. Elim Village in Lethbridge, Newell Integrated Child Care in Brooks and Roy’s Wood Shop in Redcliff are also listed. The additional outbreak not listed on the website has been confirmed by the site leader at River Ridge Seniors’ Village.

Linda Hygard, managing director for Chinook Village, confirmed there have been three positive cases, all staff.

Hygard noted about 85% of the assisted living and supported living residents were tested Tuesday, and so far all of those results have come back negative.

“It looks like there’s no on-site transmission so far,” said Hygard. “It’s a little early to take that and run with it, but that’s what it appears to be.”

None of the infected staff are currently working.

The larger outbreak is at River Ridge Seniors Village, where it was confirmed by Ian West, vice president of operations with Park Place Seniors Living, which owns River Ridge. West reported 22 total cases currently; six employees and 16 residents.

West says all 22 positive cases are fully vaccinated individuals and that the outbreak was reported to AHS last week.

“When the outbreak began, they came in to make sure that all of the protocols that should’ve been in place are in place, and they found that they were and have been for quite some time,” West explained. “We work in consort with a health authority and we have those daily calls; we provide them with information and they provide us with any additional ideas and support that we may need.”

When asked why the outbreak isn’t listed online, West said it was a question for AHS health authorities.

West says of the 16 residents who have tested positive, only two are in independent living and that no one in long-term care – the most vulnerable individuals – has received a positive result. Most cases are limited to one “neighbourhood” of residents, which West says makes it easier to isolate and cohort employees.

West says most residents testing positive are experiencing very little by way of symptoms.

“Because there is an outbreak of more than one case, we are swabbing staff and residents on a regular basis to see if anyone has it,” he said. “So part of the reason that those staff and resident numbers have increased is because we are going looking for it, not because they are showing symptoms.”

Information and updates for protocol are being shared with family members of residents almost daily. He urged family members to continue to follow and respect rules while visiting loved ones.

“Our staff are fully aware of the responsibility to get vaccinated, and our residents, I think we’re up to 97% of residents that have been fully vaccinated,” West said. “But obviously family members coming in and visiting, they may have chosen not to become vaccinated, they may be partially vaccinated, they may agree with mask mandates and they may not.”

West lauded the work and commitment of staff at all seniors’ residences.

“A lot of good work is being done, not just by people in River Ridge, but all around. The fact that they’re still willing to come to work and put themselves at risk, and then go home and put their families at risk, is really a testament to how much they are committed to the people they care for, and we recognize that.”

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