5 COVID-19 cases linked to southwest Calgary childcare facility

An outbreak of COVID-19 has been confirmed at the Fledglings Educare Centre in Calgary, the province confirmed on Friday.

Five cases have been linked to the outbreak, which includes three children. Two have already recovered.

The government did not release the ages of those affected, but children attending the southwest daycare and preschool are between one year old and 12 years old.

Tom McMillan, assistant director of communications for the Alberta government, said in an email that health officials took action as soon as the first case was identified and contact tracing is now underway. 

The identified cases involve a small cohort, which lessens the likelihood of wider exposure, McMillan said. Anyone at risk of being exposed has been isolated and tested.

No further cases, director says

Fledglings Educare Centre director Shamira Wallace told CBC News in an emailed statement that a staff member reported a mild headache on July 27, and immediately went for testing and into quarantine. On Aug. 1, she was informed that her results were positive. 

"Immediately we informed Alberta Health and all our families. We did not re-open the daycare after the long weekend.  We asked all families and staff to get tested. Everybody did. One other staff member tested positive, although she had no symptoms. She went into self isolation. Three children also tested positive. They showed no symptoms," the statement read in part.

"No further cases have been found. The daycare has always fully complied with all Alberta Health guidelines before and during the virus outbreak. While the program was closed, the facility was thoroughly cleaned. The health and safety of the children we care for, their families and our staff are of the highest priority to us. The center re-opened on Tuesday, August 11th."