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Health authorities are trying to determine how several staff members at the Foothills Medical Centre maternity ward became infected with COVID-19.

Just over a week ago, “a handful” of caregivers at the obstetrics unit tested positive for the virus and were quickly furloughed, said Dr. John Conly, medical director of infection prevention and control for the Calgary zone.

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“They’re gradually recovering, we have a very good handle on it,” he said.

A source told Postmedia they know of six staff members who contracted COVID-19, while co-workers who had been in contact with them have gone into isolation.

That source also said staff were concerned that some of those who had been in contact with infected colleagues were still told to come into work.

But Conly said there was a “robust response” to the outbreak that included quickly sending the affected staff into isolation and heightened hygienic precautions on that unit and others.