Extendicare St. Paul confirms one staff member positive for COVID

Extendicare St. Paul has confirmed one staff member tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.

“The staff member who has tested positive is isolating at home until they are cleared to return to work,” said Laura Gallant, a communications person for the long term care facility.

In the e-mailed statement, Gallant said there are no positive results among residents at this time, but all residents are being closely monitored for symptoms.

“We have enhanced infection prevention and control protocols in place and additional PPE requirements for staff. We continue to follow the latest guidance from public health to make sure our response is informed by the latest available evidence.

“Our first priority, as always, is to maintain the health and safety of our residents and staff. We will continue to keep in close contact with our community,” said Gallant.

Twelve new cases were reported in the St. Paul-Saddle Lake “local geographic area” on the AHS virus data map on Thursday, and there is 85 active cases and 109 recoveries.

In Saddle Lake Cree Nation News, Events, Information page on Wednesday evening, they reported 47 active cases with one in hospital.

Lakeland COVID update

Provincially, 1105 new positive tests were reported by chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw on Thursday, a single day record for Alberta.

There are now 30 active cases of COVID-19 in the Cold Lake area. Thirty-five total infections are listed as recovered.

One new infection was reported in the Bonnyville area on Thursday, which includes Kehewin, to leave 29 active cases and 40 recoveries. In Kehewin Communications last update on Tuesday, they reported 15 active cases and one in hospital.

BCHS and Aurora Middle School reported earlier this week positive tests of people connected to their schools.

One new recovery and no new cases are reported in the Lac La Biche area, there are now 13 active and six recoveries.

Smoky Lake area now has eight active cases and the Frog Lake area sits with six active cases.

Three cases are active within Vermilion River County and two are positive in the Two Hills area.

There are 284 Albertans in hospital, 61 of whom are in ICU with the virus, the province says.

With files by Michael Menzies.