Province of Alberta announces new supports for continuing care centres

There have been a total of 29 different COVID-19 outbreaks at continuing care centres throughout Alberta.

Minister of Health Tyler Shandro made an announcement during Monday’s coronavirus update and stated that 34 of Alberta’s 59 total deaths occurred at a continuing care facility.

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To date, there have been a total of 330 coronavirus cases in residents at care facilities throughout the province.

To combat the spread, the Province of Alberta has announced that it will increase staffing of healthcare aides at these facilities as well as top up their wages by $2 an hour.

“Healthcare aides are integral to the well-being of residents – and they play a critical role across the healthcare system,” said Shandro in a release.

“We cannot overlook their contribution, and we must not lose sight of how the pressures they face can directly impact the functioning of entire facilities. We are confident that these measures will make a difference not only to healthcare aides but to the residents of these facilities who deserve quality and compassionate care.”

The government is also fast-tracking the certification of 1,000 paid practicum students in an effort to increase staffing at the care facilities.

The Province also plans on advancing $24.5 million to operators to address immediate cost pressures, the release states.

The new supports are estimated to cost around $7.3 million per month.