COVID outbreak among 15 staff at Medicine Hat hospital spreads to 5 patients

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.

On Wednesday, Alberta Health Services said the outbreak consists of15 staff and physicians who havetested positive, as well asfive patients all of whom were at the hospital for non-COVID health reasons whoacquired COVID-19 while in hospital.

The outbreak was originally declared on Aug. 11.

AHS said the hospital remains a safe place to visit and receive care and that there's no increased risk to patients who come to the hospital. AHS said patients with symptoms or who have tested positive for COVID-19 are isolated and treated in designated rooms.

Visitors at the hospital will temporarily be restricted to one designated support person, beginning on Thursday.

"We understand that interaction with loved ones is important and recognize that this decision may be difficult for some. Exceptions will be made for end-of-life circumstances upon consultation with the care team," AHS said in a statement posted to social media.

A total of 15 patients with COVID-19 (including those who tested positive as part of the outbreak) are being treated at the hospital,five of whom are in ICU.

There are two other outbreaks at acute care facilities in Alberta, at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, and at Rockyview hospital in Calgary. An outbreak at Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary was declared over on Tuesday.

COVID cases and hospitalizations have been increasing in Alberta. There are now nearly 6,000 active cases in the province.