By Chantal Wagner

Five new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta

Mar 11, 2020 | 4:54 PM

In Alberta, Dr. Deena Hinshaw Chief Medical Officer of Health is reporting 5 new cases of COVID-19.

That brings the total to 19 on Wednesday.

As was the case on Tuesday, March 10, the 5 new cases are all travel related.

One of the confirmed cases involves an Edmonton man in his thirties who recently returned from international travel. He underwent recent treatment at the city’s Misericordia Hospital before later testing positive for COVID-19.

Hinshaw says the man is self-isolating and anyone who might have come into contact with him is being notified.

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The other confirmed cases are three people from the Calgary zone and another from the Central zone.

According to Hinshaw, all travelers returning from outside Canada should monitor their health for 14 days after coming home.

If they develop symptoms, they should self-isolate immediately and call Health Link 811.

“We are also recommending at this time that anyone over the age of 65 and those with chronic health conditions not travel outside of Canada as the global risk is increasing rapidly and it is difficult to predict which travel destinations may put people at risk. Even Albertans who are not in these risk groups should think carefully about their travel plans and the possibility they may be exposed to the virus while traveling.”

The five newly confirmed cases had returned from visiting a range of countries, including Iran, Egypt, Spain, Mexico, and the United States.

Hinshaw says another action they are taking at this time is supporting family doctors with personal protective equipment. Priority will be given to family doctors who are testing for COVID-19 in their offices.

“With the increase in global spread and travel-related cases in our province, we want to be sure that family doctors have access to personal protective equipment in a time where they’re having difficulty ordering supplies from their regular providers.”

The province says while the risk of catching COVID-19 within the province remains low at this time, this may change in the future.

“COVID-19 is going to test our health system and emergency preparedness but our system is preparing for that test,” Hinshaw said.

For more information on COVID-19 visit this link.