Going into the week, two seniors' facilities in Lac La Biche are reporting COVID-19 "outbreak" status, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Both LacAlta Lodge and the former Points West assisted living facility, now called Golden Sands, were reporting that two or more residents had been confirmed with the coronavirus over the last week. According to AHS, the "outbreak" status is given at supportive living facilities when two or more cases are discovered. The actual number of cases at each location was not made available by AHS, in part because they say the numbers can change "rapidly and often." As the "outbreak" status remains in place for up to four weeks, AHS officials also say not all current outbreaks may include active transmission.
Schools
Three active cases were reported late last week at the Aurora Middle School. The Aurora cases were confirmed between October 6 and October 14. Three cases confirmed at J. A. Williams on October 4 are no longer part of the province's outbreak alert list. Lac La Biche's Light of Christ Catholic School remains on the list, with between five and nine active cases. The Kikino School has also been given 'alert' status by AHS, reporting two to four active cases in the current reporting period. No other schools in the Lac La Biche and Plamondon areas are on current COVID advisory list.
Starting on October 12, parents have been informed by AHS if their child may have been exposed to a COVID case who was infectious at school.
The cases at the local seniors facilities and schools are part of the 71 active cases identified within urban and rural Lac La Biche County areas in the Monday, October 18 provincial update.
According to the most recent statistics, less than 45 per cent of the Lac La Biche County' s population of 12-19 year olds have received two doses of a COVID vaccine. By contrast, more than 85 per cent of the municipality's population over the age of 60 have received both shots. Only 60 per cent of all Lac La Biche County residents over the age of 12 have received both vaccination shots. In neighbouring St. Paul, the total sits at just 52 per cent, while the Bonnyville area is at 59 per cent. In all three areas, the number of seniors who have had both shots is above 80 per cent.
Provincially, due to higher rates of vaccinations in larger, urban centres, 76 per cent of Alberta's residents over the age of 12 have received both shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.
