By Alex McCuaig

LATEST ON COVID-19

Saturday’s update from province on COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 14, 2020 | 4:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The province’s chief medical officer of health, Deena Hinshaw, is reiterating the province is in a “new normal” period and is stressing the public, “stay home when feeling sick.”

Dr. Hinshaw announced 10 new cases of suspected COVID-19 cases in the province during her daily press conference Saturday afternoon.

Of those cases, six are in the Calgary area with the other four in and around Edmonton.

Hinshaw, however, made a new announcement regarding the severity of two of the 39 cases which have been identified, stating two of those believed to be infected are now in intensive care.

“We can not be complaicent,” stressed Hinshaw reiterating the critical importance of remaining home if sick, self-isolation if an individual falls within one of the several risk criteria when it comes to travel or exposure to someone who has.

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On the later issue, health officials will begin to post information from flights that are suspected of carrying a passenger who may have been carrying COVID-19.

Hinshaw also highlighted the huge response to the COVID-19 online screening tool made available early Friday evening which has been accessed 300,000 times in less than 24 hours, allowing for relief to those trying to access information through the 811 Health Link call line.

That online tool can be found here.

Regarding schools, Hinshaw stated health official continue to monitor the situation but are currently staying the course on the decision to keep them open.

She did state that a sliding scale of closures could be introduced prior to a province-wide order – starting from a single facility, multiple ones, to a school division.

Hinshaw warned if schools are closed, it will likely be for a long period, possibly until September.