According to the province, all staff and residents at long-term care facilities dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak in Alberta will be tested for the virus whether or not they’re showing symptoms.To date, 51 people in Alberta have died due to COVID-19; of those, 32 were residents in long-term care facilities.
The Brenda Strafford Foundation, which operates Clifton Manor, said that three of its facilities in Calgary are experiencing outbreaks of the virus. When Clifton Manor experienced its first case of COVID-19, 23 staff members had to self-isolate for 14 days, which put a strain on day-to-day operations.
“There has to be a re-allocation of health resources from the hospital sector to continuing care, continuing care has been the epicentre of this pandemic across Canada,” Conroy said. “Clearly, the acute care sector has the capacity currently to treat those requiring hospitalization with COVID.”