Fuchsia Dragon聽| [email protected]
The first Jasperites have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Residents and staff at Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 2.聽
These vaccinations were part of Phase 1 of Alberta鈥檚 vaccination roll out, which started Dec. 15 and focuses on respiratory therapists, intensive care physicians and staff, and long-term care and designated supportive living facility staff across Alberta.
Vaccination expanded to residents of long-term care and designated supportive living facilities like Alpine Summit on Dec. 30, once vaccines could be safely transported to those facilities.
鈥淲e were very relieved to get the news late last week that we would be part of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out,鈥� said Kristen Chambers, CAO of the Evergreens Foundation in a letter to Alpine Summit residents, staff and family members.
鈥淥n Saturday, Jan. 2, staff and residents both on the lodge and DAL side were given the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine. A secondary dose is required at a later date and will be coordinated by AHS and Public Health.鈥�
As of Jan. 4, 26,269 doses of vaccine had been given to healthcare workers and residents of continuing care facilities across the province.
Starting this week, Phase 1A will include vaccination of healthcare workers in home care and emergency departments. In February, as part of Phase 1B, vaccination will be expanded to seniors aged 75 and over and residents aged 65 and over in First Nations reserve communities and Metis settlements, and healthcare workers in medical, surgical and COVID-19 units or operating rooms.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health for Alberta, said, 鈥淲e know that the more Albertans we can vaccinate, the better, but we must not lose sight of the importance of sequencing our efforts to ensure the most vulnerable among us are offered vaccine first. Until it鈥檚 our turn, we must remain vigilant and adhere to all public health measures.鈥�
Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout is expected to start by April 2021. Final decisions regarding the sequencing of populations to receive the vaccine in Phase 2 have not yet been determined by the Alberta government.
Phase 3 will involve rolling out vaccinations to the general Alberta population, and is anticipated to start later in 2021.
Zero active cases
There are now zero active cases of COVID-19 at Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge.
An outbreak was declared at the facility on Nov. 29 when a first case was confirmed there. In total, there were 21 cases, with 17 recoveries and four deaths.
Due to privacy laws, Evergreens has not differentiated between staff and resident cases, and communicates only the total number of cases associated with the site.
And despite having no active cases, Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge will remain on outbreak until 28 days past the last positive test result. There are no pending test results at this time.
Chambers said the facility鈥檚 last positive test was on Dec. 17, so she anticipates the outbreak will be officially cleared around Jan. 14.
鈥淲e are so encouraged to see the positive progress the residents have made and thank you all so much for the faith you have had in us to look after your loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,鈥� she said.
Dining has resumed in the designated assisted living but as the building remains on outbreak status, there are still restrictions. Residents sit maximum two at a table, spaced six feet apart. Recreation activities are modified, and virtual visits are encouraged.
