Alberta premier ‘heartbroken’ by E. coli outbreak, pain families are going through

Sep 15, 2023 | 10:55 AM

Choking back tears, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith struggled to get through this morning’s update on the E. coli outbreak in Calgary.

“It’s unimaginable pain and I’m heartbroken by what these families are going through,” she said, pausing for close to 30 seconds to collect herself. “Right now the most important comfort I can offer is the promise that each sick child is getting the best possible care.”

There are now 337 lab-confirmed cases of E.coli. Twelve children remain in hospital, a decrease of eight from two days ago.

Ten of those children still in hospital have developed the severe illness hemolytic uremic syndrome, also known as HUS. Six are receiving dialysis.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: December 9-15, 2024

Dec 10, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: December 2-8, 2024

Dec 02, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 12-17, 2024

Nov 12, 2024

Health officials are still trying to determine the exact source of the outbreak.

“I assure you we will get to the bottom of this, we will identify the cause and we will put in place the necessary measures to ensure this does not happen again,” Smith said.

Earlier this week, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health said three critical violations were found at a central kitchen serving Calgary daycares affected by the E. coli outbreak.

Forty-five different food samples have been collected and so far 19 tests have come back negative for E. coli.

More test results are expected in the coming weeks.

To help ease the financial burden faced by many of these families are facing, Smith announced a compassion payment of $2,000 per child.

by Regan Tate