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AHS declares COVID-19 outbreak at Points West Living Cold Lake

AHS declares a COVID-19 outbreak after a staff member from Points West Living Cold Lake tests positive for virus
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Points West Living Cold Lake is under lockdown after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. File photo.

COLD LAKE – A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Points West Living Cold Lake.

As of Oct. 18, Alberta Health Services (AHS) designated the facility as meeting the definition of a coronavirus outbreak. According to AHS, that definition includes any resident who is confirmed to have COVID-19, and/or any staff member who is confirmed to have the virus and worked at the site during the communicable period without the use of PPE.

“As a precaution, outbreak control measures are put in place at continuing care facilities and group homes with a single confirmed as directed by AHS,” said Mark Dixon, marketing and communications manager for Connecting Care, the organization that operates Points West Living communities. “We also continue to follow enhanced COVID-19 protocols for wearing PPE, enhanced sanitization, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and isolation where appropriate.”

The Employee Care Partner (ECP) that tested positive last worked at the facility on Oct. 13. They notified the general manager the following day that they went for testing and AHS confirmed on Oct. 18 the ECP had tested positive. AHS declared the community in outbreak to be extra cautious and they went into lockdown immediately.

Testing is being made available in the community for all Points West Living Cold Lake residents and ECPs.

“The health and safety of our residents, their families, and our ECPs is our top priority,” Dixon stressed. “Our corporate accountability is to do whatever we can to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, reduce the spread in which it travels across populations and geographies, and immediately take action when a resident or ECP is suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19.”

Further updates will become available as the situation unfolds.

Robynne Henry, Bonnyville Nouvelle

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