BARRHEAD - Shepherd's Care Foundation's (SCF) Barrhead facility has a COVID-19 outbreak.
Alberta Health Services (AHS), which made the declaration on Aug. 27, classifies an outbreak in acute and continuing-care facilities when two or more COVID-19 cases are reported. The facility is designated an SL4 in that it provides 24-hour, on-site scheduled and unscheduled professional and personal care and support by licenced practical nurses and healthcare aides.
SCF is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization that provides accommodations and care for 1,800 in six facilities, the majority are in the Edmonton region. The Barrhead facility has 42 beds. SCF executive communications director Zachary Penner confirmed the outbreak in an Aug. 31 e-mail.
"Throughout the pandemic, Shepherd's Care has consistently gone above and beyond wherever possible to keep our beloved seniors, staff and visitors safe," he wrote.
Part of SCF's COVID-19 safety precautions includes weekly rapid testing. Penner said that on Aug. 21, two employees' rapid tests came up positive for COVID-19.
The results of the rapid tests were then confirmed by what is considered to be a much more accurate PCR test, Penner noted.
"We also tested all residents and staff for COVID-19. During that testing, we discovered one resident was, although asymptomatic, also positive for COVID-19," he said, adding as part of this process they also discovered a third staff member had contracted the virus.
Penner noted that the employees who had tested positive for COVID-19 were on-site while symptomatic, adding that the employees had all adhered to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols while on the job.
He added that once SCF became aware of the situation, they immediately enacted their COVID-19 protocols, including enhanced cleaning, increased infection prevention and control audits, as well as implementing restrictions on new admissions and transfers.
Visitation policy
Penner said although there are no prevailing orders from the Chief Medical Officer of Health on automatic visitors to the site or group activities such as recreation or worship services, SCF has implemented a policy that visitors must pre-schedule visits.
He added that visitors must also undergo a health screening before entering the facility and adhere to the posted PPE protocols.
Penner noted that the SCF incident command team is in daily contact with AHS and able and ready to adjust their protocols if the health authority deems is necessary.
He also noted that while he understands some people might be frustrated with the SCF's safeguards they are needed.
"Shepherd's Care is in contact with our families, including regular written and telephone updates," Penner said. "Most are choosing not to visit in person at this time or are choosing to visit through technology instead of in person."
The outbreak is not the first for a senior's care or assisted-living facility in Barrhead. In November 2020, the Barrhead and District Social Housing Association's Hill Crest Lodge, along with Golden Crest and Klondike Place and Jubilee Manor, was declared to have an outbreak after two Hill Crest residents tested positive for COVID-19.
