Calgary daycare E. coli cases slow, a ‘clear indication’ of peak: AHS
Global News
At 348 cases as of Monday, AHS said the slowing increases is a 'clear indication' of a peak in cases, as the province ponders an inquiry into what happened.
The number of E. coli cases linked to an outbreak in Calgary daycares that started in late August appears to be levelling off, a “clear indication” the outbreak of initial infections has peaked, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said.
The official Opposition wants to see an independent inquiry into how hundreds of children were infected by a preventable disease. However, the premier appears to be standing by her comments about adding the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak to the review of the province’s COVID-19 response.
On Monday, AHS said there were 348 lab-confirmed cases connected to the outbreak, an increase of six from Saturday and 11 from Friday.
Twenty-seven of those have been secondary cases, up four from Saturday, but no additional secondary transmissions had been confirmed on Sunday, AHS said.
Calgary-area hospitals had nine patients in them, down 12 from Saturday, all with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe kidney- and blood-related outcome. Three patients were on dialysis, half as many as on Saturday.
“We are seeing clear indications that the outbreak related to the initial exposure has peaked,” AHS said.
Seven daycares remain closed after children from the outbreak were suspected of attending them:
Some children and staff are restricted from returning to MTC Daycare, pending a negative E. coli test and relief of symptoms.
