OLDS - A resident of the Mountain View Seniors' Housing (MVSH) lodge in Olds has tested positive for COVID-19, the organization's chief administrative officer, Sam Smalldon, confirmed today (Dec. 9).
It is the first case of the virus in any of MVSH since the pandemic began.
The Mount View Lodge resident was given a COVID test at the Olds hospital during a medical visit and MVSH officials were informed of the positive result Monday evening, he said.
The resident is not being identified, including the person’s sex or age.
The resident is in isolation at the Olds lodge, with staff interacting only when required and while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), he said.
“Basically isolation for a positive case is that staff only interact with the resident using proper PPE,” he said. “They do not enter the room unless required.”
The resident is being housed alone in his or her room, he said.
The lodge is located at 5230 - 50 Street in Olds.
Lodge staff were working with Alberta Health Services (AHS) personnel Wednesday to conduct tests of other residents at the facility, he said.
“Testing is underway for both residents and staff,” he said.
Although there are other residents in isolation at the facility, none have tested positive for COVID, he said.
MVSH has a single-site policy for all staff, meaning staff members do not work at more than one facility, he noted.
“That’s been one of our protocols since last March,” he said.
Asked if the Olds facility is allowing visitors, he said, “We are currently discouraging visits to prevent spreading of the virus. We are not recommending it at this time unless absolutely necessary.”
MVSH operates seniors housing facilities in Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs and Sundre.
