One dead following COVID-19 outbreak at Foothills

An outbreak has been declared at Calgary's Foothills Medical Centre. AHS says that a small number of patients along with two members of staff within one unit at the hospital have tested positive for COVID-19. 

CALGARY (CityNews) — One patient has passed away in connection to the outbreaks at Foothills Medical Centre.

In an update from AHS, it was confirmed two outbreaks affect the cardiac care and general medicine units, where 14 active patients and four staff cases have been diagnosed.

“We’re sad to also report that there has been one death related to the outbreak,” said Dr. Nick Etches, lead medical officer of health for AHS in the Calgary zone.

In order to track down possible spread in relation to the outbreaks, contract tracing is underway.

“We are aggressively managing these outbreaks, contract testing, and our investigations so far have not yielded any evidence of a link between the two outbreaks.”

Staff and patients are being screened in an effort to prevent spread and ensure safety.

“The Foothills Medical Centre remains a safe place to visit and to receive care – there is no increased risk to patients coming to the hospital and all services continue to be offered including emergency and scheduled care procedures,” stated the release.

An outbreak has been declared at Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) said a small number of patients, along with two members of staff within one unit at the hospital, have tested positive for COVID-19.

Visitors to the unit are being restricted to end of life situations until further notice.

In a statement, AHS said contact tracing for anyone potentially exposed is ongoing.

“The Foothills Medical Centre remains a safe place to visit and to receive care – there is no increased risk to patients coming to the hospital. Any patient with symptoms, or who has tested positive for COVID-19, is isolated and treated in designated rooms.”

“All AHS facilities, including Foothills Medical Centre, follow rigorous Infection Prevention and Control standards. All healthcare workers are asked to self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure risk using a screening tool before reporting to a site for their shift, and our frontline teams are practicing continuous masking while at work.”

Testing is being offered to all patients within the affected unit, and outbreak control measures are in place.

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