Thread by @EmmaLGraney

Tuned into #ableg for the latest #covid19 update with Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw. I'll be tweeting along, or you can watch live here #cdnpoli

67 new cases - that's 486 cases in the province. They think 34 are community transmissions. There's also more cases in continuing care facilities, but 27 Albertans have recovered from #covid19. New cases in every health zone and age group. #cdnpoli #ableg

Hinshaw says there are "countless unsung heroes" behind the scenes, including Alberta lab techs doing 3,000 tests/day and contact tracers across the province. #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Thanks to all health care workers being being awesome, Hinshaw says (yeah that's a paraphrase). Also workers on the frontlines, cleaning staff -- everyone has undertaken "tremendous work" to support Albertans #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw also gives a shout-out to Indigenous communities who have responded in numerous ways, including phone lines with translation services for elders #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

"This virus has challenged us all," Hinshaw says, but there are more challenges coming for Alberta in the coming weeks. We're doing all we can to prevent a situation like Spain or Italy, she says #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Those new health worker guidelines will come into effect tomorrow.... it's an online tool for any of them who are experiencing #covid19-like symptoms. "The health system is preparing for every possible scenario in the coming weeks," Hinshaw says #ableg #cdnpoli

Three weeks ago our new normal became more real as ALberta experienced our first case, Hinshaw says, but we need to respond to this extraordinary crisis with extraordinary kindness #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says the number of community transmissions is pretty constant right now but that may change as they transition over to more tests of health care workers #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

AHS employees have been working feverishly (I'm sure no pun intended) when it comes to hospital planning, says Dr Joffe with AHS, & "the entire community" will be part of #covid19 response including hospitals, hotel space for those who need somewhere to recover #ableg #cdnpoli

Major source of virus cases in Alberta is still people who were out of the country, Hinshaw says. #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw is hoping to see a flattening of the curve b/c there have been so many different steps taken to protect Albertans, but it's going to be hard to say exactly which ones were most effective #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

The number of cases is really low, so what does Hinshaw say to ppl who think this is no big deal? We need to be reeeeally cautious about these numbers b/c more are probably out there. Also, there are 10 ppl in ICU with 486 cases of disease and that's huge #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw also emphasizes there is no vaccine and no treatment for this thing, hence the extraordinary measures we've taken to protect Albertans #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Looking at our numbers, what country are we on-track to copy right now? Hinshaw says she's shooting for Singapore, but says every country has different situations. Ultimately, it's too early to know, she says. We're getting cases from all over the world #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

GAH the audio keeps cutting out. Sorry I might have missed something there. But will ppl be moved around the province if one health zone maxes out? Joffe says that already happens and yes, patients will be moved if needed #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Joffe says elective surgeries have been postponed BUT surgeries for cancer, c-sections and anything else urgent are all happening as planned #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw gets another Q about self-isolation and what exactly those folks should do. If you feel well, yes! Go into your backyard, work in your garden, sit on the deck, go for a walk BUT stay 2m from others. #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Court-ordered travel around kids in custody, what happens there? Hishaw: Man it's hard to weigh in on that b/c every situation is so different, but no-travel recommendations are for social gatherings. She wouldn't recommend cancelling court-ordered travel #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

Hinshaw says she's still looking at whether Alberta will need to dial-up its recommendations to follow in the footsteps of Sask or other provinces. #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli

AHS is using ordinary means to access spaces (like hotels etc) but sure they could bring in powers to co-opt said spaces. But that is only a thing that *could* happen, not to say it *would*. And that's the end of another briefing. #covid19 #ableg #cdnpoli