Alberta Health Services says there is no risk to the public as they care for a patient with a potential contagious illness at an Edmonton hospital.
Officials would not say what the illness was but have put the patient in isolation as a precaution and to reduce any potential risk to other patients, staff and the public.
“As we are awaiting the results of various test, we are not yet in a position to confirm a diagnosis,” spokesperson Kerry Williamson wrote in an e-mail.
Williamson also confirmed that the patient did not spend time in a waiting room but was immediately placed in isolation.
No further details have been released and one expert told CTV News the lack of information is actually revealing.
“The minute that they bring out patient confidentiality then you can rule out any notifiable disease like Ebola because when that is mentioned then it has to be shared with the public,” Jason Tetro said.
Tetro, also known as The Germ Guy, explained that the Canadian government has laws and regulations that health officials must following including the Quarantine Act.
“Whenever you see somebody who happens to be coming into an emergency room or any type of triage you have no choice, you have to ask these questions.
“The reason is SARS absolutely. When we had that problem we changed the regulations. But I prefer that over having a set of guidelines and then finding out how little people are complying with them.”
Poster Comment:
AHS did not name the hospital but the Edmonton Journal reported that Emergency Services at the City's downtown Royal Alex were shut down.