Thread by @CMOH_Alberta

Here is a thread summarizing my remarks from this afternoon’s update.

We continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and evaluate our response.

Today, we are announcing new measures to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. (1/13)

Since yesterday, we’ve confirmed 49 new cases of COVID-19 and suspect up to 11 total cases are from community transmission.

This means that 195 cases have now been identified in our province. (2/13)

Ten individuals are hospitalized and five are receiving care in the ICU, which is three additional ICU admissions over the past 24 hours.

There have been no additional deaths. (3/13)

The good news is that we’re now starting to see numbers of Albertans who have recovered from COVID-19.

As of today, three individuals have reported to us as recovered. (4/13)

I’ve heard from individuals waiting on their test results, and want to assure you that we're doing our best to get back to you.

Staff are prioritizing call-backs to individuals who have tested positive, so it may take longer to return calls to those with negative results.(5/13)

Today, we're putting additional measures in place at seniors’ facilities.

Only a single family member, friend or paid companion designated by the resident or guardian may visit. Each visitor must be verified and undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility. (6/13)

Facilities must have security staff or a greeter to enforce this new process.

Exceptions to these essential visitor rules will be made for family members visiting individuals who are dying, so long as only one visitor enters the facility at a time. (7/13)

These measures will be extremely difficult for residents of seniors’ facilities.

While they are necessary to protect our seniors and staff who work with them, there are additional steps we can all take to make this easier on seniors who are affected. (8/13)

One of the most meaningful actions Albertans can take is picking up the phone.

Even just a few minutes can go a long way towards reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation among seniors.

Let's make phone calls with our elder loved ones part of our “new normal.” (9/13)

For those experiencing loss of a loved one, funerals may still be held, provided there are fewer than 50 attendees.

But you must maintain social distancing. I know it’s heartbreaking to refrain from hugging loved ones but please trust that this is necessary. (10/13)

Albertans are responding to this extraordinary situation in extraordinary ways.

Please continue to share your acts of kindness and read the stories of others using #AlbertaCares (11/13)

Take care of each other and yourselves.

The importance of self-care in these uncertain, stressful times cannot be overstated.

With that in mind, I will be taking some personal time this weekend to rest and recharge. (12/13)

My colleague, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health Marcia Johnson, will provide tomorrow’s afternoon update.

I look forward to joining you again on Monday. #COVID19AB (13/13)