Town of Westlock employee infected with COVID-19 while travelling

Another update has been posted on the Town of Westlock website regarding an employee who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Originally, the town had broke the news on Aug. 5 regarding an employee working at the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre who had received a positive test result for COVID-19 while on shift Aug. 1.

That employee, who was asymptomatic, left the building and went into self-isolation. The Spirit Centre was also temporarily shut down and areas where the employee had entered were sanitized and disinfected.

An update posted to the Town of Westlock website on Aug. 6 provides some further details. It states that Alberta Health Services (AHS) has determined the employee was not in the Westlock region at the time of contagion; in fact, they had voluntarily tested for COVID-19 as a precaution because they had recently traveled.

“The Town of Westlock would like to commend the employee for following recommended AHS guidelines,” the website states.

It further adds the town will continue to support the employee throughout this incident and they ask the public to be respectful and supportive as well.

Due to AHS regulations, the town was unable to reveal any information regarding this incident until AHS could carry out proper tracing protocols. Furthermore, the town has revealed as much as it can without violating confidentiality and privacy laws.

Finally, the update states that the Summer Program will not be affected as program staff and children utilize a separate entranceway and are contained to an isolated section of the Spirit Centre.

“We are confident in the preventative measures already in place and will continue to follow AHS guidelines to maintain the safety of the children and staff,” the website states.

Throughout Alberta, there are a total of 1,107 active cases of COVID-19, including the single case in Westlock. An additional 56 were identified on Aug. 5.

Kevin Berger, TownandCountryToday.com

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