Thread by @EmmaLGraney

Another death from #covid19 in Alberta as we get an update from Dr. Hinshaw. A woman in her 80s who was in a care home. One staff member and two other residents have tested positive (in stable condition), another 11 showing symptoms. #ableg #cdnpoli

Dr. Hinshaw says she knows deaths are worrying news. Some will have mild symptoms, she repeats, but others will become very sick and could die. This is why Alberta has taken the actions it has, she says, including visitor limits #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

"We will get through this," Hinshaw says, and encourages *everyone* to use physical distancing and do all we can to keep each other safe. "Every single Albertan has a role to play," she says. "We all need to take these measures seriously." #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Update on the Edmonton curling bonspiel: 12 of the attendees have confirmed positive #covid19 cases. Three are Red Deer doctors, and 58 patients and 97 other health care workers were in contact with them. All those people are being contacted. #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Orders have been placed for more swabs and tests, by the way, but Dr. Hinshaw says she doesn't expect a shortage in Alberta any time soon. Provinces are working together to bulk-buy, too. #ableg #cdnpoli #covid19

The second Alberta death (and scene of the current outbreak of #covid19 cases) was the McKenzie Towne Long Term Care Home in Calgary. #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says is seems to be from community spread, not travel. Alberta is changing its testing regime, btw, to further monitor that kind of spread #ableg #cdnpoli #covid19

There are 150 residents in the continuing care side of the home, btw... it's not affected the retirement side of the facility. But these folks are very much in the high risk group, Hinshaw says #ableg #cdnpoli #covid19

Hinshaw says she's not aware of any at-home tests that currently meet the requirements needed to be 100% accurate in finding #covid19. Also, more guidance coming on protocols around volunteering, food and mail delivery drivers etc #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says it's hard to say if summer events like Calgary Stampede should be cancelled. The virus will still be around, she says, but there's no saying yet whether there will be an epidemic in the summer. #ableg #covid19 #cdnpoli

Also, the infected doctors in Red Deer will not be named (as has been the case across the province). #ableg #cdnpoli #covid19