Bonnyville Extendicare resident dies of COVID-19

There were five new COVID-19 deaths reported on Feb. 7 including one who was a resident at Bonnyville Extendicare. The woman was in her 80’s, and had other comorbid health conditions according to Tom McMillan, the assistant director of communications at Alberta Health. The woman’s name has not been released.

There are currently 20 active cases and 3 deaths linked to the COVID-19 outbreak at Bonnyville Extendicare. According to the geospatial status map of the province, there are currently 67 active cases in Bonnyville. Ten of those are new since Feb. 5.

In response to questions about whether or not the residents at the long-term care facility had received the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the beginning of the outbreak, McMillan said “it is possible if you had the virus before and then received it, it doesn’t eliminate it [COVID]. As well as theoretically, it would be extremely rare, but you can still test positive after receiving those vaccines. It is 92 per cent effective, there is a small chance, but also I can’t comment specifically on that exact situation because I don’t have the details.”

Elsewhere in the Lakeland, Two Hills continues to take the prize for flattest active cases curve with just three total, and only one new case since Jan. 27.

Vermilion added three cases over the weekend, but is down to 26 active cases. According to Alberta Health, there are currently 11 active cases and three deaths associated with the outbreak at Vermilion Health Centre.

Smoky Lake has 19 active cases, two new since Feb. 5. All four cases linked to the outbreak at Bar-V-Nook Manor have recovered.

St. Paul has 18 active cases, two new since Feb. 5. A total of four cases were associated with the outbreak at Sunnyside Manor, two have recovered and two died.

Cold Lake has 29 active cases, with one new cases since Feb. 5. According to Alberta Health there is still one active case associated with the outbreak at Cenovus Foster Creek. Sixteen others have recovered, as have all 17 associated with the outbreak at Imperial Oil.

Lac La Biche has 37 active cases, six of those added since Feb. 5. According to Alberta Health Services, there have been a total of 18 cases and three deaths in Lac La Biche associated with the outbreak at the  William J. Cadzow Healthcare Centre. According to Alberta Health there is still one active case associated with the Lakeland Out of the Elements Shelter, nine others have recovered.

In the provincial update Feb. 8, Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced they will be removing the colour coded regional status map in order to better reflect the province’s re-opening plans moving forward. The geospatial map with active case numbers and rates for communities will continue to be available.

“We are looking at trends both provincially and regionally to assess the impacts of the steps being taken, and to monitor for any change in trends. We will explore more targeted action if needed, either easing or tightening of measures at the health zone level, should circumstances warrant this in the future,” said Hinshaw.

The positivity rate for COVID-19 tests is approximately 4.3 per cent. Hospitalizations continue to decline, with 432 people in hospital including 76 in intensive care.

Of the 6,196 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta 96 have been confirmed as the B.1.1.7 variant and 46 of those do not have a known travel link.