Confusion over AHS direction with close contacts of COVID-19
Posted November 10, 2020 10:24 am.
Last Updated November 10, 2020 10:25 am.
CALGARY (CityNews) – A Calgary woman is looking for clarity after being told to self-isolate after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
However, direction from Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been a toss-up as one day she’s told to isolate and the next day she’s told she doesn’t have to.
“One of the people I had played against had tested positive for COVID and had gone to the game knowing they were waiting for their test results.”
That’s the news Ireland Butler received from her volleyball league at the end of October.
The Deer Run Community Association confirmed a league member tested positive for the virus, letting Butler and teams know they needed to self isolate and call 811 as a precaution.
Butler said members were getting different answers after calling AHS.
“The first time I gotten the response, no you’re not safe you need to isolate. When I contacted them the second time, I was told that I was okay, that previous answer was incorrect, go back to living my normal life.”
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A few days later, though, she got a call from AHS saying there’s been some confusion.
“What you were told was incorrect, the second phone call, so the first phone call was right. You need to isolate, you need to get tested, you need to take the proper precautions.”
Butler is frustrated and overwhelmed, unsure if she’s able to go back to work or if she needs to continue to stay home.
In an email to CityNews, AHS said: “all close contacts of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 are required to self-isolate immediately and get tested.”
The AHS website said teams playing each other are considered close contacts. If you are in close contact with a positive case you are legally required, negative or not, to self-isolate for 14 days from the time you last saw the person.
Butler tested negative and continues to self-isolate and has also made a decision to remove herself from the team for now.
“Because of everything that happened, it’s the right decision for me at this moment in time.”
