6th patient dies at Foothills hospital, 7 units now have outbreaks

A sixth patient at the Foothills Medical Centre has died from a COVID-19 infection as seven units now have reported outbreaks, according to the latest update from Alberta Health Services. 

There are 36 patient cases linked to the outbreaks and 31 health-care workers have tested positive.

Two more visitors linked to the outbreak investigation have also tested positive, bringing that total to five. 

"The total number of deaths is six. We offer our sincerest condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones," AHS said in a release.

One unit that was under a watch was moved to full outbreak status when a patient confirmed positive, bringing the total number of outbreaks to seven. One more unit is under an outbreak watch.

According to AHS, multiple teams are working daily to determine where the infection may have started. In addition, teams are working to determine how it was transmitted and who needs to be contacted and tested.

"All patients who may have been linked to these outbreaks have been identified, and testing is well underway," AHS said in a release.

On Thursday, site medical director Dr. Peter Jamieson said the hospital is still trying to uncover any connections between the outbreaks, which include several cardiac units. 

"Those are much more complicated and difficult to confirm," Jamieson said. "We believe that within the cardiac units there are some links."

Another 122 people in Alberta tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total active cases to 1,558, down 38 since the last update on Thursday.