Calgary 
In response to the recent E. coli outbreak in Calgary that led to the closure of 11 daycare facilities, Alberta has decided to provide support to these affected families in the form of a one-time payment of $2,000 per child.
The closures were necessitated by lab-confirmed cases of E. coli, a bacterial infection that posed significant health risks.
Alberta says that while the closures were crucial to prevent the disease’s further spread and allow health officials to conduct a thorough investigation, they placed a considerable financial burden on the affected families.
The one-time payment of $2,000 per child aims to help cover the additional costs incurred during the daycare closures and any loss of family income.
Information on how to apply for the assistance will be communicated shortly.
In addition to the financial support, the Children and Family Services department is collaborating with child-care providers to identify alternative spaces in other centers for affected families who may prefer to switch providers.
The outbreak, as of September 15, had resulted in 337 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli, with 12 patients currently receiving hospital care. Ten of these patients have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness caused by E. coli infection. Six patients are undergoing peritoneal dialysis at Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Per the news release, only 26 secondary transmissions have occurred, all within households already linked to the outbreak.
The closure orders for the 11 daycare facilities have been lifted after thorough reinspections ensured compliance with health and safety requirements. However, a separate case of E. coli has emerged in another daycare center, leading to its closure for ongoing investigation.
The government says Health authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation to identify the specific cause of the outbreak. Once this information becomes available, it will be shared with the public. Additionally, there will be a review of shared kitchens serving childcare facilities.
