ST. PAUL - A COVID-19 outbreak at the St. Paul hospital is causing in a change of plans for patients who were planning on delivering babies in the community in the new year.
When asked if obstetrics at the St. Therese-St. Paul Healthcare Centre had been impacted by the outbreak, Alberta Health Services spokesperson Diana Rinne provided the following information:
"The facility is currently closed to admissions as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and we are working to ensure all expecting mothers have the support they need, including having a plan in place for where they will safely deliver their babies."
AHS is working with surrounding sites to offer additional support to St. Paul patients, as needed.
"Patient safety is of utmost importance to us and we are doing everything we can to ensure our patients receive the care they need," said Rinne.
On Monday morning, Rinne confirmed that there were 12 individuals associated with the St. Therese-St. Paul Healthcare Centre who had tested positive for COVID-19. That number is accurate as of Dec. 31, 2020.
The outbreak at the hospital was first declared on Boxing Day.
The William J. Cadzow Healthcare Centre in Lac La Biche is also on the acute care outbreak list, with six individuals associated with the centre testing positive for COVID-19.
