Some Calgary care homes cautiously optimistic after COVID-19 stats improve

One by one, Alberta's continuing care homes are slowly recovering from COVID-19 outbreaks, and that's good news for the province as it hopes to move to Stage 2 of its economic relaunch ahead of schedule.

There are now 29 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta's care centres.

Close to 700 residents have recovered from the illness but 112 have died.

Rachel Barsky's grandmother lives at Calgary's Millrise Seniors Village, where 39 residents and staff became sick and six people died.

Alberta Health Services took over and brought in another provider to run the home.

The outbreak was declared over this week, but AHS says rules are still in effect.

"The facility will continue following all public health orders and outbreak control measures. This includes physical distancing, daily staff and resident screenings, handwashing and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment," spokesperson James Wood said.

"Visitor restrictions will continue to remain in effect at Millrise to protect residents and staff."

Barsky says it's good news but not for everyone.

"We're just relieved that she made it through and that she didn't contract it, but we're feeling still very sad for the families who did and the ones that died," Barsky told CBC News.

From 30 outbreaks to 8

A month ago, 30 care homes in the Calgary zone were experiencing an outbreak. That number has dropped now to eight.

Donna Wilson teaches nursing at the University of Alberta and says now is no time to let our guard down.

"What we need to worry about is the second wave of COVID," Wilson said.

She says that while long-term care homes appear to have turned a corner, they're not out of the woods yet simply because residents are so vulnerable.

"While everything else might be opening up and we're relaxing about COVID-19, nursing homes don't have that luxury. They have to keep going with the concern that anybody coming in that door could have COVID. Some of their residents could have COVID and they don't know it."

Twenty five of the province's 29 active cases at continuing care homes are in the Calgary zone.