Thread by @EmmaLGraney

Tuning into the daily #covid19 update from Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, starting any second now. Follow along here on the #ableg feed or head to alberta.ca/news or facebook.com/youralberta.ca. #cdnpoli

Alberta has 10 new confirmed cases of #covid19, six in Calgary and four in Edmonton. Two are admitted into intensive care, the others are self-isolating at home. Eight from international history incl. Las Vegas, a dental conference in Vancouver #ableg #cdnpoli

Dr. Hinshaw says we can expect more new #covid19 cases - this is a new normal. We need to look out for each other and practice social distancing #ableg #cdnpoli

And for the love of all that is holy, stay home if you're not feeling well - even tho it's unlikely to be #covid19, Dr. Hinshaw says (yeah that's a paraphrase). Again, don't travel outside of Canada and if you're coming back, self-isolate and monitor for symptoms #ableg #cdnpoli

If you develop symptoms after travelling go online and check your symtoms to see if you need to be tested #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says if schools are to be closed, it would be for months -- like, until September. This #covid19 pandemic isn't ending in weeks, she says, it'll be months. She mentions Singapore as an EG of a place that coped with pandemic w/o closing schools #ableg #cdnpoli

AHS developed a #covid19 response plan for schools and has given to schools. Alberta will now also post the flight numbers for any flights a person with a confirmed case of the virus was on. Albertans asked to check those lists - gvt will not be contacting you #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says aggregated #covid19 case data will be reported online now so teams can focus their efforts where they're needed most. More than 300,000 Albertans have used the online self-assessment tool in 24 hours (that's the correct number this time I promise) #ableg #cdnpoli

Nobody has yet recovered from #covid19 (the definition is two negative swabs 24 hours apart). She'll be reporting those numbers when they start coming in. #ableg #cdnpoli

The two people in intensive care in Alberta with #covid19 are both in the 60s #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says the school guidelines are posted online on AHS. The most important part of that is a zero-tolerance policy for ANYONE with cold-like symptoms including fever, cough. Any child with symptoms (day care and schools) asked to not attend #ableg #cdnpoli

Any kid who develops cold-like symptoms at school will immediately be isolated and sent home with a parent. Everyone needs to follow this advice as the number of #covid19 cases rises, Hinshaw says #ableg #cdnpoli

Q now about ventilators. AHS did advance planning there and bought another 50 as #covid19 started taking off in China. She'll get back to us with numbers - doesn't have that on-hand. #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says Alberta is trying to flatten down the spread of #covid19 now to ensure the health system is not overwhelmed all at once (like in Italy). Containment measures are to limit the spread and mitigate healthcare capacity issues #ableg #cdnpoli

Q whether it'll work when so many kids are sniffly (my note: they are little germ factories). Hinshaw asks parents to keep their eye on their kids who they know best. Parents are best-positioned to know if their kid is unwell, schools are back-up #ableg #cdnpoli #covid19

Hinshaw repeats school closures would have to be for 8-12 weeks if they are to be an effective measure to stop the spread of #covid19. #ableg #cdnpoli

Is AHS working on anything else to alleviate the burden on 811? Hinshaw says they're working on a tool to allow folks to make an online booking with a #covid19 assessment centre #ableg #cdnpoli

Are we sure all these cases are travel-related? Hinshaw says these ones may be indicative of community spread, but again the situation "is changing dramatically and rapidly every day." She expects to see more travel and close-contact local #covid19 cases #ableg #cdnpoli

We cannot take it for granted that just because someone has not travelled, they cannot have #covid19, Hinshaw says. She recommends all grocery stores and other businesses have signs and sanitizer stations #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says her kids are still going to school, and if she felt that was unsafe she wouldn't just pull hers out - she'd close all schools. I don't differentiate between my kids and the rest of the population when it comes to #covid19 response, she says #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says she knows it's frustrating right now to get to 811. If you're feeling completely well, you will not be tested for #covid19, Hinshaw says #ableg #cdnpoli

Q about limits on gatherings 250+, what about fewer? Hinshaw says any groups over 50, if those groups involve anyone who's travelled internationally or are high-risk, DO NOT attend. And if you're ill, don't go. And if you're having event, provide hand sanitizer #ableg #cdnpoli

That's the end of today's Alberta #covid19 briefing withDr. Deena Hinshaw, provincial chief medical officer of health. Another one tomorrow, same bat time, same bat channel #ableg #cdnpoli