Thread by @CMOH_Alberta

Here is my daily thread update on public health and #COVID19AB

To all Albertans: I know this is scary. But we will get through this.

This isn’t just about the actions that the government is taking. It’s down to each and every one of us. (1/16)

Since yesterday’s update, we’ve confirmed 57 new cases of COVID-19 & suspect up to 28 are community transmission.

This means 358 cases have now been identified in Alberta.

19 individuals are hospitalized and seven are receiving care in the ICU. (2/16)

According to our data, three Albertans have recovered from COVID-19 so far.

We are working on a streamlined process for getting recovery data and we anticipate those numbers will change. (3/16)

Today, I must also sadly report the second death from COVID-19 in our province.

This individual was a female in her 80s, and a resident at the McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre in Calgary. (4/16)

I would like to extend my sympathies to this woman’s family and loved ones.

This news is extremely sad – both for me personally, and for everyone involved in Alberta’s COVID-19 response. (5/16)

We’ve also learned that one staff member and two other residents at this facility have also tested positive for COVID-19, with an additional 11 residents showing symptoms.

Their tests are pending and investigation continues to determine the source of the infection. (6/16)

The 2 other residents confirmed to have COVID-19 are in stable condition.

The staff member who tested positive for the virus had no travel history & did not work while symptomatic. Additional staff who were in contact and test positive will be identified and isolated. (7/16)

News of this death & potential infections in a long-term care facility will be distressing for many people.

In these facilities, where some of our most vulnerable citizens reside, we've taken additional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 & continue to do so. (8/16)

Today’s report & the increasing numbers of affected Albertans is why these aggressive measures are in place.

It’s why every day we’re working together to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to stop the spread. (9/16)

Every single Albertan has a role to play.

The health and well-being of your family, friends and neighbours are at stake—and we all owe it to each other to take this seriously and keep each other safe. (10/16)

In the past week, we’ve also seen an increase in Albertans returning from international travels.

It’s important that all returning travellers self-isolate for 14 days, even if you’re feeling well. This is especially crucial for older Albertans. (11/16)

An update on the Edmonton bonspiel with Western Canadian physicians and other health care workers that occurred March 11-14.

As mentioned yesterday, all attendees have been contacted and are self-isolating. (12/16)

12 of 47 Alberta health care workers who attended have tested positive for COVID-19.

Three of the infected individuals are physicians working in Red Deer. There are also infected physicians from the Edmonton & Calgary zones. (13/16)

From the three Red Deer cases, although they worked less than a day while symptomatic, a total of 58 patients and 97 other health care workers have been or will be contacted as potential close contacts. (14/16)

Remember, symptoms can be mild & these physicians did not know they had been exposed to a case of COVID-19 when they became ill.

They finished their shifts, went home and self-isolated.

This experience is a reminder that it is critical to immediately self-isolate. (15/16)

I want to again extend my condolences to those grieving the loss of their loved one today, and to those whose family members are affected by the infections in this long-term care facility and elsewhere.

It’s important to remember that we are all in this together. (16/16)