Daily #COVID19AB briefing starts with Health Minister Tyler Shandro.
Temporary structure donated by Sprung Structures will be constructed at Peter Lougheed Centre to handle anticipated surge in cases. Will add 6000 square feet of space. #ableg
Temporary structure donated by Sprung Structures will be constructed at Peter Lougheed Centre to handle anticipated surge in cases. Will add 6000 square feet of space. #ableg
Shandro says companies across the province have also stepped up to offer masks and other support for health-care workers. #ableg #COVID19AB
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw speaking now.
Says she has been receiving messages from students, asking her to pass on their thanks to health-care and other essential workers. Hinshaw adds her thanks to those workers, as well as the public. #COVID19AB #ableg
Says she has been receiving messages from students, asking her to pass on their thanks to health-care and other essential workers. Hinshaw adds her thanks to those workers, as well as the public. #COVID19AB #ableg
"I know that the medicine of physical distancing that I am currently prescribing is a bitter pill to swallow," Hinshaw says. She says she is carefully assessing the situation and seeing when measures can be lifted. #COVID19AB #ableg
28 new cases of #COVID19AB, for a total of 1,451.
592 people have recovered (74 more than yesterday).
192 suspected community transmission. #ableg
592 people have recovered (74 more than yesterday).
192 suspected community transmission. #ableg
Hinshaw is reporting three new deaths:
- woman in her 80s from Calgary Zone;
- man in 70s from Edmonton Zone;
- woman in her 60s from Calgary Zone
151 cases in staff and residents of continuing care facilities. #ableg #COVID19AB
- woman in her 80s from Calgary Zone;
- man in 70s from Edmonton Zone;
- woman in her 60s from Calgary Zone
151 cases in staff and residents of continuing care facilities. #ableg #COVID19AB
Hinshaw talking now about the long weekend -- stay home wherever possible, rigorously hand-wash, etc.
She says she is concerned re: some private gyms are apparently choosing to remain open -a public-health breach enforceable by law. #COVID19AB #ableg
She says she is concerned re: some private gyms are apparently choosing to remain open -a public-health breach enforceable by law. #COVID19AB #ableg
Hinshaw talking about car trips now -- says only ppl from the same household should be in a vehicle together.
Don't travel this weekend, stay home -- in your community and on your property, she says. #COVID19AB can spread through a serving spoon, kiss on cheek, she says. #ableg
Don't travel this weekend, stay home -- in your community and on your property, she says. #COVID19AB can spread through a serving spoon, kiss on cheek, she says. #ableg
She also encourages religious leaders to carefully plan their meetings and celebrations, doing so remotely so as not to endanger their communities.
#COVID19AB #ableg
#COVID19AB #ableg
Q&A now.
Hinshaw says of the three new deaths, none were from McKenzie Towne in Calgary.
Re: staffing situations in long-term care homes, she says AHS is working with facilities to help support staffing and protect residents. #COVID19AB #ableg
Hinshaw says of the three new deaths, none were from McKenzie Towne in Calgary.
Re: staffing situations in long-term care homes, she says AHS is working with facilities to help support staffing and protect residents. #COVID19AB #ableg
Question re: Shepherd's Care Kensington in Edmonton.
She says she understands there are 17 confirmed cases, in the independent living section.
#ableg #COVID19AB
She says she understands there are 17 confirmed cases, in the independent living section.
#ableg #COVID19AB
Q re: golf courses in Calgary, what is the position on them being open?
Hinshaw says they are a non-essential service. They can have workers tending the grounds but are not accessible to the public at this time. #COVID19AB #ableg
Hinshaw says they are a non-essential service. They can have workers tending the grounds but are not accessible to the public at this time. #COVID19AB #ableg
In response to a question, Hinshaw says the province has expanded its testing capacity. She encourages anyone who meets the criteria for #COVID19AB testing to go to the AHS online assessment tool.
Doesn't anticipate same kinds of delays as in early days of testing. #ableg
Doesn't anticipate same kinds of delays as in early days of testing. #ableg
Province has opened up its testing criteria to specific groups, but has done so gradually so as not to overwhelm the system, Hinshaw says. #COVID19AB #ableg
Q: Is Alberta looking at testing everyone in long-term care facilities?
Hinshaw says one concern about testing those with no symptoms is that that only shows a snapshot in time. AB is looking at very low threshold for testing people in those facilities. #ableg #COVID19AB
Hinshaw says one concern about testing those with no symptoms is that that only shows a snapshot in time. AB is looking at very low threshold for testing people in those facilities. #ableg #COVID19AB
Also, if there is a confirmed case, province is looking at testing those who have been exposed to that patient, even if they are not showing any symptoms at the moment.
#COVID19AB #ableg
#COVID19AB #ableg
Province continues to look at best evidence and what is the safest approach for those in long-term care, who are some of the most vulnerable, Hinshaw says. #COVID19AB #ableg
Q: re: Clifton Manor in Calgary and whether it was linked to one of the Calgary deaths?
A: 2 confirmed cases there, but no deaths, Hinshaw says. #COVID19AB #ableg
A: 2 confirmed cases there, but no deaths, Hinshaw says. #COVID19AB #ableg
Q for Minister Shandro re: the new temporary structure.
A: It will use the staff currently at the Peter Lougheed Centre, one of the two hospitals where local #COVID19AB are being taken.
Should be up and running by the end of April, he says. $3M investment by AHS into it #ableg
A: It will use the staff currently at the Peter Lougheed Centre, one of the two hospitals where local #COVID19AB are being taken.
Should be up and running by the end of April, he says. $3M investment by AHS into it #ableg
Q for Dr. Hinshaw: Will province be reporting cases in homeless shelters?
A: To date, there have been no confirmed #COVID19AB cases in homeless shelters, she says. Province will disclose info re: outbreaks, balancing privacy. #ableg
A: To date, there have been no confirmed #COVID19AB cases in homeless shelters, she says. Province will disclose info re: outbreaks, balancing privacy. #ableg
16 confirmed cases and 2 deaths (ie. no change) at the Manoir Du Lac home in McLennan, Hinshaw says, in response to a question from @LaurentPirot_RC. Briefing is over, with the next tomorrow as usual.
#ableg #COVID19AB
#ableg #COVID19AB
