Residents of two seniors facilities that have gone through the terror of COVID-19 had a day yesterday (January 7) that caused worried family members to breathe a sigh of relief.  

Residents at both Luxstone Manor and Bethany Airdrie received vaccinations of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.  Another Airdrie seniors facility, the Hamlets at Cedarwood Station, is on the list to get the vaccine next week.

Bethany Airdrie is in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak that as of yesterday, had taken the lives of two residents.  Active cases in the outbreak were up to 44, 23 residents, and 21 employees.  In a statement earlier this week, David Ghoris of the Communications Department said the facility had been contacted by Alberta Health Services to schedule vaccinations for both residents and employees with residents to receive their shot yesterday.  He said staff vaccines and their location were being managed by AHS.

The General Manager of Luxstone Manor Carolina Maki spoke with Discover Airdrie yesterday and said residents were relieved to be receiving the immunizations.  Maki says AHS nurses would be returning to give residents the second dose of the Moderna vaccine in three weeks. A statement from Laura Gallant, Communications with Extendicare says they are awaiting further information on vaccine access for Luxstone Manor's team members who have worked tirelessly to protect residents from the persistent threat of COVID-19.  

Four nurses were on-site to do the immunizations and Maki says they went smoothly.  The Manor also experienced an outbreak that affected 23 residents and five members of the staff.  One resident passed away. 

Loy Pacheco, General Manager of the Hamlets at Cedarwood Station says the facility is next in line for vaccinations.  "I was contacted in December and we've put together a resident list which was required by public health and sent that off to them.  They've scheduled us for next Tuesday, January 12th.

Pacheco says immunizations with the Moderna vaccine will be made available for all of the 60 residents who choose to receive it.  The vaccine will also be given to all members of the care team.

Pacheco is thankful that the vaccine is coming to the Hamlets but says they're not letting their guard down.  "People are relieved.  Families are very relieved but it's only another layer of protection.  We still have to maintain our high levels of wearing PPE, sanitization, and social-distancing. None of that will change.  I think it's a great thing that we're getting the vaccine this early but we just can't lower our guard."

The Hamlets at Cedarwood Station also went through a six-week outbreak that was just lifted earlier this month.  The outbreak led to 17 positive cases and four residents died.  "When we came out of outbreak that was great news because it lifted out spirits, Pacheco explains.  "When we found out about the vaccine it just added to that.  We're feeling very optimistic because those six weeks when we were in outbreak were very difficult, so we're pretty happy."

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.ca