Breadcrumb Trail Links
News Local News
The province’s online portal on COVID-19 hasn’t been updated since July 24
Article content
COVID-19 is making a return to Calgary seniors’ homes, with the virus reported to be spreading in a handful of locations — though information on which facilities are impacted and how many residents are affected is hard to come by.
In a letter to families on Friday, management at Calgary’s Auburn Heights Retirement Residence said the care home has seen 50 cases of the virus among residents in an ongoing outbreak — 32 active cases and 18 recovered. Additionally, 13 staff tested positive, three of whom had recovered.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Article content
“We are following all protocols to limit the spread. But boy, does this one spread quickly and easily even with us following all the proper protocols,” wrote the facility’s executive director.
Masks are back at the facility and mandatory for visitors, but management is asking families to cancel plans to visit their loved ones and reschedule doctor’s appointments unless necessary.
“AHS allows us to have visitors to the community as long as they are masked, however, Auburn Heights is pleading with everyone, if you don’t have to come to the community, then don’t. Just until we have a better handle on this.”
Province releasing intermittent data on COVID-19
Outbreaks have also been reported at other Calgary long-term care facilities; however, no information is readily available. The province’s online portal on COVID-19 hasn’t been updated since July 24.
Some doctors have criticized the lack of available data as cases of COVID-19 — and other respiratory illnesses like RSV and influenza — have risen across Canada in recent weeks.
“Things are not looking good from my end. There are lots of people in hospital, rising cases in the ICU,” said Dr. Joe Vipond, an emergency doctor and clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary. “It’s not good. And I personally think that the Alberta public should be allowed to know that. I mean, this is really important information for assessing what the risk is to go out and about.”
Headline News
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
The government has said it’s working on an updated dashboard to track infections but has yet to announce its rollout. The only data still being provided by the province are weekly updates on outbreaks at acute care centres and wastewater tracking, which Vipond noted as the “only objective data” currently available to the public.
Related Stories
Alberta to roll out most COVID-19 and influenza vaccines Oct. 16, booking to start Oct. 10
Province warns families to remain vigilant amid season of respiratory illness
NACI recommends Canadians get updated COVID vaccine this fall
Confluence of COVID-19, flu and RSV significantly strain Calgary hospitals this fall: experts
As of last Tuesday, there were new outbreaks on two units at Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre — comprising seven cases — and one unit at Rockyview General that has seen 14 cases since Sept. 14. There are outbreaks in 26 units across Alberta.
Provincial numbers on COVID-19 cases since July have come via intermittent updates from Alberta Health. On Friday, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said between Sept. 3 and Sept. 23, there were a total of 1,470 cases of COVID-19 and 286 hospitalizations, with 13 ICU admissions.
Advertisement 4
Article content
“Sadly, 20 Albertans died during that period due to COVID-19,” said LaGrange.
New dashboard to include RSV, influenza: health minister
During the same timeframe, Alberta saw 21 cases of RSV and 52 cases of influenza, the latter of which resulted in 10 hospitalizations.
“Very soon, we will be launching a refreshed dashboard with up-to-date data that will align reporting on respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV and influenza. This change will bring Alberta’s COVID-19 reporting schedule into line with other jurisdictions such as British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia,” said LaGrange.
The province’s annual flu and COVID vaccine campaign is slated to begin Monday for Albertans in congregate care, while the rest of the province can begin booking appointments for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines on Oct. 10.
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
X: @MichaelRdrguez
No Facebook? No problem.
Meta has blocked news articles from appearing in Canada through its social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, so skip the gatekeeper and come straight to the source.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.