23 with COVID-19 at Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre

EDMONTON — Seventeen more patients and two more staff have caught COVID-19 from an outbreak at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre.

Since its last update Wednesday, Covenant Health also confirmed one more resident had died.

In total, 19 residents, one patient, and three staff members have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

“We have tested all residents and patients on the affected units and are also testing all staff who have worked on those units, even if they are not showing symptoms,” Covenant Health said in a written statement to CTV News Edmonton. “All potential contacts are being traced to ensure we reduce the possibility of spread.”

Outbreak protocols have been implemented in the facility, meaning all residents in the facility will be tested, all staff who have been on the affected units will be tested, and the centre is no longer taking admissions, transfers and visitors.

Exceptions are being made for end-of-life situations.

Alberta reported 427 new cases – a daily record high – on Thursday, bringing it’s tally of active cases to 3,500.