(The Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet

Spike in COVID-19 cases linked to Lethbridge church and a child care facility

Oct 7, 2020 | 10:26 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – ***UP DATED as of 12:15-pm. The City of Lethbridge has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases and more information is being released about that spike.

As of Wednesday morning, there were 29 active cases in Lethbridge, with 18 new infections reported in Tuesday’s COVID-19 update.

READ MORE: 18 in Lethbridge test positive for COVID-19

For Lethbridge County, five new cases were reported, bringing the region’s total to 17 active infections.

Lethbridge News Now reached out to Alberta Health Services for more details on a possible reasoning for the spike in case numbers.

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“AHS has identified an outbreak associated with one church community in the Lethbridge-area,” said the health authority.

“All individuals exposed to these cases are being contacted directly by AHS and instructed to follow requirements for isolation and testing. At this time, more than 20 new cases have been confirmed as linked to this outbreak. Case identification is ongoing.”

AHS must protect patient confidentiality, and will not provide details of individual cases linked to specific gatherings. However, LNN media colleagues, Global Lethbridge, have identified the Church as the Coalhurst Good News Centre.

“AHS reminds individuals to continue to be vigilant in following guidelines around social distancing, hand hygiene, masking and cohort groups.”

On Tuesday evening, it was learned there was a possible outbreak at the Children’s House Child Care Society in Lethbridge.

Alberta Early Learning and Child Care confirmed to LNN that the Board of Directors at The Children’s House Child Care Society have been advised of three confirmed Covid-19 cases in the daycare center. No information was provided as to whether staff or children were involved, however, they were all sent home yesterday to isolate and have been advised to book testing.

The Center is now closed while Alberta Health Services carries out the necessary contact tracing and testing. The Centre will remain closed until advised by AHS that it is safe to re open and additional deep cleaning of the centre has been completed.

Global News has also reported that outbreak control measures are in place at Extendicare Fairmont Park, a seniors’ facility on the south side of Lethbridge. A staff member was reported to have tested positive.