Fort Saskatchewan correctional officer dies of COVID-19

A correctional officer at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre died Thursday from COVID-19.

Amessage posted by his family on Facebook,identifiesthe officer as Roger Maxwell, 45.

The notice adds, "During his brief illness Roger expressed his concern that his colleagues could contract COVID-19."

The news has upset staff at the provincially-run jail, said Susan Slade,AUPE vice-president.

"I actually talked to the chapter chair this morning," Slade told CBC News. "It's very devastating andeverybody is very upset and obviously very sad about this situation."

• COVID-19 cases rise to 242 at Calgary Remand Centre
• COVID-19 outbreak declared at Edmonton Remand Centre, 7 staff test positive

Alberta Health Services said37 inmates and nine staff at thejail have tested positive.

"It's just a scary place to be on the front lines in those facilities," Slade said. "We're begging people to follow the rules. Wear a mask.

"Keep yourself safe so that these members that go in every day to these facilities are also being kept safe when they're outside of the facility they're working in."

Slade said the union willinvestigate to determine whether Maxwell contracted the virus on the job.

In its Facebook post, Maxwell's family asked staff at the facility to thoroughly disinfect desks, phones, phones and workstations "to prevent the loss of another officer."

An Occupational Health and Safety review will be initiated, said aspokesperson with the department of the Solicitor General which governs provincial correctional facilities.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones at this very tough time, along with those who worked with the officer," Katherine Thompson said in an email to CBC News.

"With the pandemic, their work, as with other frontline professionals, has become even more challenging. They continue to meet this challenge head-on."

Outbreaks have also been declared at the province's two large remand centres. Currently there are 198 inmates, 35 staff and one contractor who have tested positive at the Calgary Remand Centre.

There are 41 inmates, 16 staff and one contracted staff member who have COVID-19 at the Edmonton Remand Centre.