[ad_1]
Article content continued
Neither Bowen-Eyre nor Cormier have seen their family members since around Thanksgiving. The facility began logging COVID-19 cases shortly after and restricted visitation.
On Christmas Eve, Bowen-Eyre talked with her father via video chat and said he did not look well at the time. She said she was frustrated because she thought the facility had ample time to plan for an outbreak.
“I told them, ‘We’ve been in this pandemic for over nine months now. I would have thought you would have a plan in place to help or to be proactive with looking after folks who have dementia and Alzheimer’s and are in one of your care facilities,’” Bowen-Eyre said. “I feel helpless.”
AgeCare did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Postmedia Saturday. In its update to families, the Calgary-based company said residents are screened for symptoms twice daily, and are swabbed and isolated if they develop symptoms. They said staff members who tested positive isolated at home.
Additionally, AgeCare said AHS had identified staff at the facility as eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Residents were not immediately flagged for vaccination as the province is unable to transport doses to the site, according to AgeCare.
Other facilities operated by the company have also reported cases, including AgeCare Walden, where five deaths have been reported, according to Alberta Health.
Cormier called the situation “gut-wrenching,” adding she would have liked to see more action taken to avoid the large-scale outbreak.
“Canada and the world, we didn’t protect these people, and how could we have when staff continue to get sick?” Cormier said.
“There’s so many positive residents now that you can bet the 16 that have passed away is going to go up.”
jherring@postmedia.com
Twitter: @jasonfherring
[ad_2]
Source link
