LAKELAND – While much of the day-to-day realities of the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to fade, healthcare and long-term care facilities continue to grapple with novel COVID variants.
A weekly report released by Alberta Health Services (AHS), reflects an ongoing battle against new Coronavirus variants.
The Cold Lake Healthcare Centre reported a novel outbreak in one unit on Oct. 10. By Oct. 31, that outbreak was declared over, according to AHS.
The Bonnyville Healthcare Centre declared one unit on outbreak as of Oct. 12 and a second unit on outbreak on Oct. 18.
AHS reported that three patients tested positive for Coronavirus, which was an increase of one since the previous update. Additionally, one healthcare worker had tested positive for COVID-19.
Both outbreaks are now over, with the most recent one ending on Oct. 26, Covenant Health told Lakeland This Week.
“COVID-19 continues to be a health concern in the Bonnyville community,” stated Karen Diaper, the corporate director for Covenant Health.
“Efforts to control the spread of the virus at the hospital have continued to include vaccination campaigns, social distancing measures, Infection Control Practices (IPC) including masking and hand hygiene, employees staying home when ill in coordination with OHS consultations and testing protocols.
The Bonnyville hospital continues to follow established protocols when it comes to COVID-19 testing and tracking.
“We utilize various testing methods, including PCR and rapid antigen tests, to diagnose COVID-19 cases. Positive cases are reported to IPC professionals and OHS authorities for contact tracing and monitoring,” explained Diaper.
According to the Nov. 7 update from AHS, no acute care outbreaks were being reported in the Lakeland region at that time.
