When COVID-19 strikes any organization, transparency should be the focus to ensure the public stays informed.
However, some businesses with active COVID-19 cases are keeping quiet, leaving many community members unhappy.
A total of 961 positive cases were announced last Tuesday in Alberta from the three day weekend, with 52 of those in the City of Lethbridge. On Oct. 6, Alberta Health Services (AHS) confirmed there was a COVID-19 outbreak at a church community in the Lethbridge area. Later that day, AHS confirmed another outbreak this time at a childcare facility. However, with the confirmations of these places, AHS did not release any specific names leaving many community members angry.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, we should be made aware of the outbreaks in our community in case we were in close proximity with someone who was there. But AHS will release the names of schools that may only have one case, but doesn’t release the name of a church that has over 40 cases linked to it. Which doesn’t make sense: why list some places but not others? The no naming of specific organization has left many community members frustrated and angry, with some taking to Facebook to voice their opinions.
In order for the media to figure out the names of the outbreaks, they had to do their own digging. Global News Lethbridge took to their Twitter and Facebook pages asking anyone who may have information to contact them. With the help of a couple individuals, Global News was successful in finding out the names. According to AHS, they can’t release the names of organizations to help protect people’s identity.
“Case identification was ongoing and AHS would not be able to identify the church community involved to protect patient confidentiality.”
After the media released the names of the organizations, they faced backlash from people about not publicly announcing the outbreak. Even after releasing the name of the church located in Coalhurst, a reporter with Global News wasn’t able to get an interview with someone at that organization.
But not all places are keeping it a secret. Lethbridge Family Services announced they had multiple positive cases at their northside location and addressed the media within a day of receiving the information from AHS. This tactic went over well with the community as LFS was upfront and honest about the outbreak they were dealing with. They told the public what they were doing to limit the spread and the closing of their facility in order to do a thorough deep clean. Going the route that LFS took shows the professional side of the organization. Local media was able to conduct interviews, broadcast it to the community and move on. Once they open back up, some media chose to report that they are back to business with the all clear from AHS, but in general, the process of talking with media and letting the community know was fairly simple and straight forward.
This is also the same route Children’s House Child Care Society handled the outbreak on Oct. 10. Both CHCCS and Fairmont Extendicare came forward with releasing statements. According to a letter, Children’s House Child Care Society sent out reads in part.
“Staff and children have been sent home to isolate and have been advised to book testing. The centre is now closed while Alberta Health Services carries out the necessary contact tracing and testing.”
Most recently, Cavendish Farms and Meridian Manufacturing Inc. on the city’s northside reported outbreaks. Both were quick to release statements saying they were dealing with an outbreak and listing the next steps they were taking. Although each of these businesses took it upon themselves to release that they had an outbreak, AHS didn’t release that information.
However, this wasn’t the case for the Coalhurst church. They knew of the outbreak of 20 plus people when first identified and choose to stay quiet. Even after Global News reached out to the public about trying to identify what church group it was, they still chose to remain quiet. To date, the church has not yet spoken out publicly about the outbreak which has caused a total of 41 positive cases in Lethbridge County.
So, if AHS can’t release the names of these organizations because of patient confidentiality with over 20 cases linked to it, why should they release the names of schools with only one case? And if AHS isn’t going to release names, these organizations should step up and tell the community. We’re all in the pandemic together, no need to try and hide it.