2 new COVID-19 outbreaks declared at Misericordia hospital in Edmonton

Outbreaks of COVID-19 have been declared in two units at the Misericordia Community Hospital in west Edmonton, Alberta Health Services said Thursday.

Eight patients and threehealth-care workers have tested positive, AHS said. Another 29 health-care workers are in isolation.

As officials investigatehow the outbreak started,they say they learned a lot from an outbreak at the hospital earlier in the summer.

"We're going to get epidemiology assessment of that in the short term," Dr. Owen Heisler, chief medical officer ofCovenant Health, said Thursday. "We're starting that investigation to try and find out where they came from."

More outbreaks are expected, addedDr. David Zygun, Edmonton zone medical director with AHS.

"Given it is increasing in our community, we do expect that that will result in ongoing outbreaks in our facilities," Zygun said.

"Vigilance will be very important to maintain, especially over this upcoming long weekend."

The earlier Misericordiaoutbreak,which began June 20, waslinked to 58 cases and 11 deaths. In its response to a "full facility outbreak," the hospital temporarily closed its doors to incoming patients on July 8.

As of Aug.14, that outbreak was considered over.

• Misericordia hospital closed to patients as COVID-19 outbreak intensifies
• Misericordia reopening to patients as COVID-19 outbreak ends

AHS said in a Thursday statement that contract tracing continues with the current outbreak and the situation is being closely monitored.

"Enhanced screening measures among patients and unit health-care workers have been implemented, and the hospital has increased infection prevention and control measures on the units to further ensure the continued safety of all patients and health-care workers."

All patients on the affected units have been tested, as have all staff who either worked on the units or were present on them, even if they are not showing symptoms, AHS said.

Visitation to these units is being temporarily restricted. Family members of patients are being encouraged to meet with patientsvirtually.

The Misericordia's emergency department remains open and there is no impact to all other services at the hospital, AHS said.

• Alberta's hospitals have seen more than a dozen COVID-19 outbreaks since the pandemic began

Health officials saidchanges implemented after the first outbreak included closer monitoring of how staff move around the building and enhanced screening and cleaning protocols.

Meanwhile, Calgary's Foothills Hospital is continuing to dealwith an outbreak. As of Monday, a total of 80 patients, staff and visitors had tested positive for COVID-19, and seven units were battling outbreaks, including two cardiac care wardsand a cardiac intensive care unit.