What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta – March 2020 Archive

CBC News Calgary March 31, 2020

March 2020 Daily history

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Tuesday, March 31

Alberta has now reported 754 cases.

• A third person has died in a southeast Calgary seniors’ home struggling with a COVID-19 outbreak. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer, said the outbreak protocol wasn’t immediately implemented at the home but is in place now.
• The total cumulative cases in Alberta now sits at 754, with 64 new cases announced Tuesday. Nine people have died.
• Health-care workers account for 77 cases of COVID-19, but the majority of those cases are due to travel.
• As many as 75 cases in the province are believed to be due to community spread.
• Nearly 49,000 tests have been completed.
• The City of Calgary now says layoffs announced Monday will affect 1,200 employees.
• The Alberta Medical Association says the government is not backing down from health-care restructuring despite pandemic.
• New rules governing landlords and tenants in the province kick in on Wednesday.
• The City of Edmonton is projecting millions in lost revenue due to COVID-19.
• You can find all the latest COVID-19 statistics here.

Are your groceries and food deliveries safe? Your daily COVID-19 questions answered

New COVID-19 cases reported daily in Alberta, by health zone. Numbers reflect total number of known cases. Actual number of cases (including undetected / unconfirmed cases) is higher, but not measured. Alberta also started changing its testing protocol to focus on high-risk patients and health-care staff as of March 23. March 30, especially, saw lower test volumes. March 31, 2020 CBC

Number of COVID-19 patients in Alberta hospitals, by day. Figures represent the number of patients currently in hospital each day. Figures are NOT cumulative. March 31, 2020 CBC

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Monday, March 30

• Five more Albertans have died due to COVID-19, bringing the total deaths in the province on Monday to eight.
• A female in her 70s in Calgary, a female in her 50s in Calgary, two men in their 80s in Edmonton, and a man in his 30s in the north zone have died.
• Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said 29 more cases were confirmed on Monday, bringing the total to 690.
• If you are quarantined, you are allowed to go outdoors only on your own property for the duration of your 14 days of self-isolation. You cannot have guests over or go to the grocery store or pharmacy, Hinshaw said. If you live in an apartment building, you cannot use the elevator or stairwell of the building.
• Hinshaw said those self-isolation rules apply to anyone ordered to quarantine, whether they are feeling well or have symptoms.
• The outbreak at a Calgary care home continues, with 36 possible or confirmed cases among residents and five among staff at the McKenzie Towne care facility.
• Alberta has bought rapid testing devices for COVID-19 that can deliver results in less than an hour.
• The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Public Library are laying off 2,100 employees.
• The City of Calgary is laying off on-call and casual employees, but the number affected is not yet known.
• The Calgary International Airport announced partial terminal closures starting on March 31.
• A report is calling for the rapid accreditation of foreign-trained doctors to fight the pandemic.
• More than 800 doctors sign letter urging provincial government to rethink health-care revamp.
• Albertans are having a hard time accessing the province’s emergency support payments.
• Alberta farmers are concerned about disruptions in supply chains.
• Parents are worried after the Alberta government cuts thousands of education jobs.
• A southeast Calgary senior’s home now has 26 confirmed cases.

Here are the latest COVID-19 statistics for Alberta — and what they mean

New COVID-19 cases reported daily in Alberta, by health zone. March 30, 2020 CBC

Number of COVID-19 patients in Alberta hospitals, by day. Figures are NOT cumulative. March 30, 2020 CBC

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Sunday, March 29

Alberta confirmed 40 additional cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, and a third person has died.

• An 80-year-old Calgary woman became the third Albertan to die due to COVID-19.
• On Sunday afternoon, the province confirmed 40 more cases, bringing the total to 661. Up to 60 of those cases may have been caused by community transmission.
• 41 people are in hospital, and 14 in intensive care. 73 people have recovered from COVID-19.
• The province said its next press briefing would be held on Monday.
• There are now 26 confirmed COVID-19 cases at the McKenzie Towne care home in Calgary.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $9 million in funding through United Way Canada to help the country’s older population get groceries, medication and other critical items, along with $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone.
• More than 44,000 people have been tested.
• Trudeau announced new rules for domestic travel Saturday morning. Any travellers showing signs of COVID-19 will be denied boarding on all domestic flights and inter-city passenger trains as of Monday at noon.
• Public gatherings in Alberta will now be restricted to 15 people or fewer, said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health, at Friday’s news conference.
• The province announced some relief for renters as part of Friday’s news conference.
• Alberta has banned vehicle access to its provincial parks and recreation areas.
• Calgary also banned all team sports such as cricket, baseball, basketball, Frisbee and football (whether organized or informal), closed skate parks and said that although sport courts and fields could stay open, they could only be used for biking or walking.
• Calgary is closing portions of some roads to cars in order to free up space for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Alberta is looking to free up 2,250 hospital beds to deal with the pandemic.
• The Alberta government will provide additional disaster funds to help farmers.

New COVID-19 cases reported daily in Alberta, by health zone. March 29, 2020 CBC

COVID-19 patients in Alberta hospitals. Reported in terms of number of patients on a given day. Numbers are NOT Cumulative. March 29, 2020 CBC

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Saturday, March 28

Public gatherings in Alberta were limited to 15 people or fewer on Friday.

• 79 additional cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Alberta on Saturday, bringing the province’s total to 621. Up to 54 of the 621 cases could be due to community transmission.
• In total, 38 people in the province have been hospitalized and 12 admitted to intensive care. Two people have died. 53 people have recovered.
• More than 41,000 people have been tested.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new rules for domestic travel Saturday morning. Any travellers showing signs of COVID-19 will be denied boarding on all domestic flights and inter-city passenger trains as of Monday at noon.
• Public gatherings in Alberta will now be restricted to 15 people or fewer, said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health, at Friday’s news conference.
• There are no press briefings scheduled from the province this weekend, but new numbers will be announced.
• The province announced some relief for renters as part of Friday’s news conference.
• Alberta has banned vehicle access to its provincial parks and recreation areas.
• Calgary also banned all team sports such as cricket, baseball, basketball, Frisbee and football (whether organized or informal), closed skate parks and said that although sport courts and fields could stay open, they could only be used for biking or walking.
• Calgary is closing portions of some roads to cars in order to free up space for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Alberta is looking to free up 2,250 hospital beds to deal with the pandemic.
• The Alberta government will provide additional disaster funds to help farmers.

New senior hotline ensures older population receives help during pandemic

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Friday, March 27

Calgary is considering closing some lanes on roads to limit community transmission.

• Public gatherings in Alberta will now be restricted to 15 people or fewer, said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health, at Friday’s news conference.
• There are 56 new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, bringing the total in the province to 542.
• The province announced some relief for renters as part of Friday’s news conference.
• Alberta has banned vehicle access to its provincial parks and recreation areas.
• Calgary emergency officials ordered the closure Friday of personal-care businesses such as hair and nail salons, businesses offering non-essential physiotherapy and massage therapy, and body rub parlours.
• Calgary also banned all team sports such as cricket, baseball, basketball, Frisbee and football (whether organized or informal), closed skate parks and said that although sport courts and fields could stay open, they could only be used for biking or walking.
• Calgary is closing portions of some roads to cars in order to free up space for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Alberta is looking to free up 2,250 hospital beds to deal with the pandemic.
• The Alberta government will provide additional disaster funds to help farmers.
• 67 new cases were reported on Thursday afternoon, bringing the Alberta total to 486.
• In a southeast Calgary care home, there are 13 confirmed cases and one death as of Thursday evening.

Stay home, plead the parents of a boy with cystic fibrosis — his life depends on social distancing

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Thursday, March 26

New rules announced as virus starts to infiltrate care homes in the province.

• Alberta may need to free up 2,250 hospital beds over the next few weeks to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, according to an AHS official.
• The province reported 67 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total in the province to 486.
• All staff at the T&T Supermarket in Pacific Place Mall in Calgary have been sent home and the store is closed for cleaning after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
• A seniors’ care home in southeast Calgary where one woman died now has five more confirmed cases of COVID-19.
• There are three confirmed cases in two Edmonton seniors’ care homes. Aside from the seniors’ care home in Calgary, no other group home recorded additional positive cases over the past 24 hours.
• Alberta is poised to suffer the largest economic decline in Canada this year, according to a new forecast from RBC Economics.
• A care home for adults with developmental disabilities in Calgary has three confirmed cases.
• Alberta has conducted more tests than any other province, but will refocus and reduce those numbers due to limited testing supplies.
• Alberta health inspectors are fielding over 1,600 complaints a day regarding others failing to abide by health orders.
• The Alberta government has extended a wage freeze for non-unionized public employees to April 2021.
• Law enforcement in Alberta now has the power to enforce public health orders.
• Daycare spaces for children of essential workers will reopen.

He didn’t know mother was in isolation at seniors home until someone in full protective gear wandered in 

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Wednesday, March 25

Alberta reported 61 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total to 419.

Alberta reported 61 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total so far to 419. CBC News

• Alberta law enforcement agencies have been granted new powers to enforce public health orders and issue fines, Premier Jason Kenney said Wednesday.
• Alberta reported 61 new cases of COVID-19, bringing total to 419. Those 419 cases include 33 thought to have been transmitted within the province, according to Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health.
• Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau says help for the oilpatch is coming in “hours, possibly days.”
• It will take weeks to know if the measures in Alberta are flattening the curve, but there are some initial positive signs.
• A death at a Calgary care home has raised alarms for officials and families.
• The Alberta government has opened applications for emergency payments for those self-isolating and without income. The online application went live Wednesday on the province’s web site but high demand created technical issues. The province temporarily stopped taking applications for emergency one-time funding for people who are self-isolating and are unable to work.
• University of Calgary medical students have quadrupled the province’s ability to trace those who’ve been in contact with an infected person.
• The UCP and NDP are trying to come to a deal on when to meet and how many should be in the legislature when they do.
• Misinformation continues to spread along with the virus, like the rumour the City of Calgary is spraying disinfectant from helicopters. It’s not.
• Canadians struggling financially can expect payments within weeks via the COVID-19 emergency benefits program, the federal government said.
• The National Music Centre in Calgary has laid off 77 per cent of its staff.

What you need to know about the new COVID-19 benefits program

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Tuesday, March 24

Government providing new grants to agencies that work with vulnerable Albertans as cases rise.

Calgary continues to lead the province in cases, with 214 confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of 358 in Alberta. CBC

• There are 57 new cases in Alberta, bringing the total to 358.
• On Tuesday, Alberta chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Alberta now has seen its second death from COVID-19, a woman in her 80s at McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre in Calgary. Two other residents and a staff member have tested positive, and 11 others at the centre are showing symptoms.
• The care centre said the woman developed symptoms on March 22 and tested positive on March 23. Residents in the affected area of the home are isolated in their rooms and staff are wearing PPE.
• WestJet laid off 6,900 employees on Tuesday, almost half of its entire workforce, due to impact of COVID-19.
• Parks Canada is closing vehicle access to national parks, national historic sties and marine conservation areas starting on Wednesday.
• Agencies that work with vulnerable Albertans like the homeless will be able to apply for $30 million in new grants this week.
• Suncor is the latest energy company to announce a massive spending cut in the wake of low crude prices and the impact of the virus.
• The four First Nations of Maskwcis have declared a state of emergency.
• Alberta realtors are now banned from hosting open houses.

Here’s what you need to know about Alberta’s new self-isolation rules

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Monday, March 23

Province shifts testing protocol to focus on those most at risk as virus spreads.

• There are 42 new confirmed cases in Alberta as of Monday afternoon, bringing the total to 301. Of the new cases, 24 may be due to community transmission. There are 18 people in hospital, seven of then are in the ICU.
• Starting this week, physicians and contractors at medical sites will be screened for high temperatures and illness prior to starting their shifts, Alberta’s chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced Monday.
• The provincial government announced another range of measures to stem the economic fallout from the pandemic, including freezing the provincial share of education property taxes, tax deferrals and deferral of WCB payments.
• Calgary closed playgrounds on Monday and will move some homeless Calgarians into hotels.
• Alberta health officials will prioritize testing for those most at risk of infecting others.
• WestJet is cutting back on domestic flights and ramping up repatriation efforts.
• A group of doctors is calling for urgent action to help the homeless during the pandemic.
• The Calgary Emergency Management Agency will provide an update on its pandemic response at 10 am MT. You can watch it live here.
• Alberta announced new ways for doctors to bill for virtual consultations on Monday after days of pushback against the UCP government’s endorsement of Babylon, a Telus health app.
• Red Deer has moved quickly to open a new homeless shelter to help maintain social distance for clients.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Sunday, March 22

Cases continue to climb and Alberta’s economy continues to be hammered.

• Alberta has 33 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 259 cases.
• Of those cases, 18 are in hospital, seven have been admitted to intensive care and one patient has died. Three people have recovered. A list of cases by age, gender, and health zone is available on the province’s website.
• Alberta’s Emergency Management Agency have set up a web site in response to offers from individuals or businesses to help respond to the pandemic.
• Dr. Marcia Johnson, Alberta’s deputy chief medical officer of health, provided an update on Saturday. She said an enforcement plan is being put in place to allow health inspectors to monitor large gatherings of people, and for police to possibly implement fines.
• The province’s next daily update will be held on Monday.
• The City of Camrose is the latest Alberta municipality to declare a state of local emergency.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says more aid is on the way, adding that the $82-billion financial package announced to offset the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is just “a very first step.”
• Two additonal cases of COVID-19 at the University of Calgary have prompted the university to advise faculty and staff to work from home until further notice.
• Some Alberta daycares will reopen next week for kids of health-care and ‘critical’ staff, Premier Jason Kenney announced Friday.
• Alberta homeless shelters, like the Mustard Seed and Drop-In Centre, will receive a financial boost from the province to help implement social distancing measures.
• Goodwill thrift stores and donation centres across the province have been temporarily shut down.
• Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi is encouraging anyone who sees an individual or business that is violating orders under the local state of emergency to report it to 311.
• Grade 12 diploma exams have been cancelled, but students can request an exam if there are special circumstances.
• The Alberta government said it would provide front-line medical staff and funding to help shelter the homeless during the pandemic.
• Alberta’s first COVID-19 death was announced Thursday afternoon. No additional deaths have been reported in the province since Friday.
• The province’s credit rating has been downgraded in light of a budget that is “no longer valid,” as the price of oil continues to batter the bottom line.
• Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson declared a state of local emergency on Friday.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Saturday, March 21

Cases continue to climb and Alberta’s economy continues to be hammered.

• Alberta has 31 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 226 cases.
• Dr. Marcia Johnson, Alberta deputy chief medical officer of health, provided an update at 3:30 pm Saturday. She said up to 16 of the new cases may be due to community transmission. Six people are in the ICU, and 11 in total have been hospitalized.
• Johnson says an enforcement plan is being put in place to allow health inspectors to monitor large gatherings of people, and for police to possibly implement fines.
• The province’s next daily update will be held on Monday.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is doing all it can to help bring home Canadians who are stranded abroad due to COVID-19 travel clampdowns, but conceded it won’t be able to help everyone.
• The Calgary Flames Foundation announced it will provide $1.15 million to local organizations for community relief. The money will be distributed next week.
• Two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the University of Calgary have been linked to an event involving more than 50 doctors.
• Some Alberta daycares will reopen next week for kids of health-care and ‘critical’ staff, Premier Jason Kenney announced Friday.
• Alberta homeless shelters, like the Mustard Seed and Drop-In Centre, will receive a financial boost from the province to help implement social distancing measures.
• Goodwill thrift stores and donation centres across the province have been temporarily shut down.
• Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi is encouraging anyone who sees an individual or business that is violating orders under the local state of emergency to report it to 311.
• Grade 12 diploma exams have been cancelled, but students can request an exam if there are special circumstances.
• The Alberta government said it would provide front-line medical staff and funding to help shelter the homeless during the pandemic.
• Alberta’s first COVID-19 death was announced Thursday afternoon. No additional deaths have been reported in the province since Friday.
• The province’s credit rating has been downgraded in light of a budget that is “no longer valid” as the price of oil continues to batter the bottom line.
• Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson declared a state of local emergency on Friday.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Friday, March 20

• Alberta has 49 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 195 cases.
• Two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the University of Calgary have been linked to an event involving more than 50 doctors.
• Some Alberta daycares will re-open next week for kids of health-care and ‘critical’ staff, Premier Jason Kenney announced Friday.
• Alberta homeless shelters, like the Mustard Seed and Drop-In Centre, will receive a financial boost from the province to help implement social distancing measures.
• Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi is encouraging anyone who sees an individual or business that is violating orders under the local state of emergency to report it to 311.
• Grade 12 diploma exams have been cancelled, but students can request an exam if there are special circumstances.
• The Alberta government said it would provide front-line medical staff and funding to help shelter the homeless during the pandemic.
• Alberta’s first COVID-19 death was announced Thursday afternoon.
• As of Thursday, there have been 146 confirmed cases in the province.
• The province’s credit rating has been downgraded in light of a budget that is “no longer valid” as the price of oil continues to batter the bottom line.
• Truckers continue to deliver goods across the province, but are facing stress and reduced services.
• A doctor in Edmonton who tested positive for the virus was seeing patients prior to diagnosis, but that wasn’t revealed to the public.
• The City of Calgary will delay its 2020 census and set up a new fund to help maintain essential social services.
• Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson declared a state of local emergency on Friday.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Thursday, March 19

Edmonton man is Alberta’s first COVID-19 fatality, the province announced Thursday.
Tricia Lo, Illustration CBC

• An Edmonton man in his 60s became Alberta’s first fatality due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Three Calgary Catholic school students have tested positive for COVID-19.
• Calgary police are moving more services online, including information checks, and have new protocols for visiting a station in person. More information can be found here.
• Calgary will partner with Alberta Health Services and the United Way of Calgary and Area to establish a COVID-19 response fund.
• The 2020 census has been delayed and will go ahead later this year, or in 2021.
• Teachers at Calgary’s two biggest school boards have been told they can now work from home.
• Those with a scheduled mammogram screening are being asked to delay their appointments until at least May 1.
• Backcountry users are being urged to keep their risks to a minimum in order to avoid stressing the medical and search and rescue systems.
• Calgary Transit users will be asked to board buses from the back door starting on Friday.
• Edmonton is looking at property tax deferals to help cushion the economic blow.
• On Wednesday afternoon, the province warned Alberta might not see the peak of the current outbreak for weeks.
• There were 22 new confirmed cases reported on Thursday, bringing Alberta’s total to 119.
• Utility companies have agreed not to disconnect any customers for three months. Consumers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for up to 90 days.
• Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said utility payments for city services can also be postponed with no penalty starting April 1.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Wednesday, March 18

Alberta budget rushed through, WCS oil falls below $10 and U.S. border is closing.

• Alberta Premier Jason Kenney outlined how residents in Alberta could access economic relief during a press conference held Wednesday.
• The Alberta government, in a marathon session, rushed through its budget last night, citing the pandemic.
• WestJet is warning passengers of possible exposure to COVID-19 on 14 flights between Feb. 28 and March 12.
• A barrel of Western Canadian Select oil fell below $10 on Wednesday morning.
• Canada and the United States will close their shared border to non-essential travel.
• The City of Calgary is ordering all international travellers to self-isolate for 14 days upon return to the city.
• As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 119 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alberta.
• Two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed at CP Rail Calgary headquarters on Wednesday.
• Looming cuts to Alberta nurses and public-sector jobs were paused during the outbreak.
• Oilsands giant Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. said it would cut its capital budget this year to $2.96 billion, citing the COVID-19 outbreak.

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Tuesday, March 17

Alberta declared a public health emergency on Tuesday, enacting strict restrictions on public gatherings.

• Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced a state of emergency in the province on Tuesday afternoon.
• Albertans are prohibited from attending events with over 50 people — that’s rec centres, casinos and more.
• Grocery stores will remain open, so will restaurants and cafes, but their capacity cannot exceed 50 people. Bars that don’t allow minors, nightclubs and casinos were to close immediately. Bars that serve food and allow minors can continue to operate under the new guidelines.Take-out, delivery and drive-through service is permitted.
• Health Minister Tyler Shandro also announced the province was backing down on changes it made to the way doctors bill the province in light of the pandemic.
• The federal government promises a package of financial supports is on the way to help millions of Canadians and businesses get through the COVID-19 crisis — and Parliament may be recalled to pass emergency measures.
• Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, confirms she tested negative for COVID-19 after self-isolating at home with cold symptoms.
• In her daily update Tuesday afternoon, Hinshaw announced that 23 more people in Alberta have been diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 97. There are now 70 cases in the Calgary zone.
• Five people in the province have been hospitalized, including two who are currently in intensive care units. The other 92 cases are all people who are self-isolating at home and are expected to make full recoveries.
• The Calgary Emergency Management Agency says international travellers are now being ordered to self-isolate when they arrive in the city, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• The Town of Banff and City of Chestermere became the latest Alberta communities to declare a state of emergency, limiting gatherings at businesses and events to less than 50 people.
• The Siksika First Nation and Blood Tribe also declared states of emergency on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
• The economic toll of the pandemic continues to rise, with oil companies sending non-essential workers home and restaurants struggling with the effects of social distancing,
• Late Monday, WestJet announced it was suspending international flights, including to the United States, starting March 22.
• The Calgary Board of Education said individual schools will start reaching out to parents to set up times to pick up belongings and drop off school property.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Monday, March 16

Schools are closed for the first time today and social distancing is recommended.

• The federal government announced Calgary as one of 4 airports that will continue to accept international flights, starting on Wednesday. Canada is barring entry to all travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or Americans, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced.
• Alberta has 74 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, a jump of 18 since the Sunday update. Cases have now been identified in every zone in the province.
• Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, is self-isolating at home. She has symptoms of a common cold, but has been tested for COVID-19 as a precaution.
• On Sunday, for the first time the new cases weren’t all travel related, meaning community spread has begun.
• Material is being distributed at airports to explain to travellers returning from outside Canada how to self isolate.
• The City of Calgary declared a state of emergency over the weekend, shuttering libraries and rec centres and limiting capacity at bars and restaurants.
• Today marks the first day of students staying home across the province. In-person classes at post-secondaries have been cancelled.
• The Town of Cochrane has closed facilities to the public, after two cases were confirmed at a local school. All families at that school are being told to self-isolate.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Sunday, March 15

There are now 56 cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, all K-12 schools are cancelled.

• All K-12 schools, preschools and post-secondary institutes in Alberta will see classes cancelled indefinitely and child-care centres will be closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Jason Kenney said Sunday.
• Kenney told media Sunday that 17 new cases had been confirmed in the province in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 56 in Alberta.
• Two new cases were acquired through community transmission from an unknown source, so it’s not known how many people in the community may have COVID-19.
• Seven cases happened because of a single gathering in the Calgary zone.
• All long-term care and other continuing care facilities are being told to limit visitation to essential visitors only.
• Places of worship are no longer exempt from restrictions on mass gatherings.
• Post-secondary campuses will remain open, but classes are being cancelled or moved online.
• K-12 students will receive final marks, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said, and students will progress to their next grade level next year.
• Grade 12 students who are eligible to graduate and at this time, diploma exams essential for post-secondary acceptance will still be held.
• Teachers and other school staff will still work, either from school or from home.
• Approved day homes are exempt from the closures because they care for fewer than seven children at a time.
• The government committed an additional $500 million to the COVID-19 response

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Saturday, March 14

Event cancellations piled up in Alberta as authorities caution against large public gatherings.

• The confirmed cases in Alberta sat at 39 as of Saturday afternoon, according to Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw. Six new cases are in the Calgary zone and four are in the Edmonton zone.
• Two of the new cases, one in the Edmonton zone and one in the Calgary zone, have been admitted to intensive care.
• Eight of the new cases are related to international travel or a previous confirmed case. Investigators are looking into the causes of the other two cases.
• Alberta’s Provincial Operations Centre in Edmonton raised its alert level to 3. The highest level is 4.
• The government committed an additional $500 million to the COVID-19 response
• Health Link has a new self-assessment tool online at ahs.ca/covid. It’s the same one used by Health Link staff to determine if a person needs to be tested. More than 300,000 people have taken the online self-assessment so far.
• The province is asking Albertans to self-monitor their air travel, by checking alberta.ca/COVID19 to see if they were at risk of exposure from a confirmed case on a flight.
• The province said Friday it would pause plans to cut the number of front-line health-care workers in Alberta during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Alberta government held a conference call with more than 500 representatives from schools and education stakeholders to discuss the new COVID-19 guidelines for schools and daycares. The guidelines include “zero tolerance” for kids at school with respiratory symptoms.
• Alberta is continuing to recommend that schools remain open but is monitoring the situation. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said if schools are closed, they would likely remain closed for eight to 12 weeks.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Friday, March 13

Cancellations and closures continue as Alberta confirms another four cases, all in Calgary health zone.

• Total confirmed cases in Alberta sits at 29 as of Friday afternoon, all related to travel, according to Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
• Employees will now be able to take 14 days of paid job-protected leave to cover the 14-day self-isolation period recommended by Hinshaw.
• There will also be no requirement to have a medical note for such leave, or to have worked for an employer for 90 days to qualify.
• Health Link has new self-assessment tool online at ahs.ca/covid. It’s the same one used by Health Link staff to determine if a person needs to be tested.
• All jury trials at Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta between now and May 31 will be postponed. Lawyers will be able to re-elect for a judge-only trial.
• The union representing WestJet flight attendants is expecting layoffs of over 50 per cent of its staff in the wake of cancellations due to COVID-19. WestJet said it is one of several scenarios being contemplated.
• Edmonton city councillors voted on Friday to suspend council and committee meetings until March 30 as part of the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The City of Calgary enacted its emergency plan late Thursday, which gives the Calgary Emergency Management Agency additional powers to make quicker decisions.
• The University of Calgary, University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge suspended classes on Friday.
• All four of the new cases announced on Thursday are in the Calgary health zone.
• Hinshaw is to give another update on the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta at 3:30 pm Friday.
• Hinshaw said public gatherings of more than 250 people should be cancelled, as well as international events.
• Hinshaw also advised against travelling outside of Canada.
• All Albertans are asked to self-isolate for 14 days when returning from outside the country.
• In Edmonton, city council has convened an emergency meeting for Friday morning to discuss its response to the pandemic, which could including closing recreation centres.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on March 12, 2020

Infection of child in Calgary brings confirmed cases to 23.

• On Thursday morning, Suncor revealed a child at a daycare in its headquarters building in downtown Calgary had tested positive. All children who were attending the day care licensed for nearly 100 — along with their families and two dozen staff — have been asked to self-isolate for more than a week.
• Event cancellations continue, including a pause on the NHL, WHL and National Lacrosse Leagues’ current seasons, following in the footsteps of the NBA.
• The Calgary Minor Soccer Association is reaching out to parents after a spectator at a recent game tested positive.
• Alberta’s chief medical officer of health put the number of confirmed cases at 23 on Thursday afternoon.
• The City of Calgary is stepping up efforts to sanitize public transit and recreation facilities. It is warning those who feel ill to stay away.
• A Calgary audit committee also heard that the spread of the virus could impact a plan to cut $74 million from its budget over the next two years.
• Workers on their way to CNRL’s Horizon oilsands mine were held on a plane for hours and eventually returned to Edmonton after it was discovered a crew member on an earlier flight had been in contact with a coronavirus patient.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in self-isolation with his wife as she gets tested for the virus.
• The first ministers conference set to take place in Ottawa starting Thursday has been cancelled.

 

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on March 11, 2020

Number of confirmed cases in Alberta leaps to 19 as WHO declares a pandemic.

• Number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alberta jumps by five to 19.
• All 19 are travel-related.
• Most are in the Calgary or Edmonton zones. One is in the Central zone.
• The Alberta Federation of Labour calls for paid sick leave for all Albertans.
• Calgary-based WestJet takes immediate cost-reduction initiatives in the wake of plunging demand.
• Premier Jason Kenney calls for federal help to deal with impacts of the oil price crash and coronavirus as he heads to Ottawa for the first ministers’ conference.
• Kenney also says the Alberta government is looking at an order in council that would remove the need for a doctor’s note for sick leave.
• The federal government commits $1 billion to help deal with the outbreak, including $500 million for the provinces.
• With more than 100 countries now reporting cases of COVID-19, the WHO labelled the health crisis a pandemic.

 

Find Coronavirus Local Updates – Your local guide to the coronavirus outbreak. Get the latest advisories, updates and cancellations for where you live.

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Source CBC News Calgary