By Chris Brown

Chief medical officer update

Second death from COVID-19 in Alberta

Mar 24, 2020 | 4:08 PM

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health announced 57 new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta today and the second death from the virus. No new cases were reported in the South Zone, according to the government’s geospatial map.

The second fatality from the virus is a female in a seniors’ facility in Calgary.

“Although most people who become ill with COVID will experience only mild symptoms, it can make others very sick,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw. “This is why we have taken the extreme measures we have and why I can’t emphasize enough the importance for all Albertans to follow all public health guidance.”

Additional measures have been taken in long-term care and continuing care facilities. These include restricting access to only essential visitors, and they must undergo health screening prior to entering. Further measures are being looked at to further limit the risks for residents.

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“I know that this is scary, but we will get through this,” Hinshaw said. “This isn’t just about the actions that the government is taking. “It’s down to each and every one of us.”

Hinshaw again stressed the importance of people staying home if they are sick or have mild symptoms of COVID-19 and self-isolating for those who return from international travel. She also re-iterated the new timelines for self-isolation first announced on Monday.

The 57 new cases bring the provincial total to 358. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said 28 of the total number of cases are believed to be a result of community transmission. Nineteen people are in hospital, seven of those in ICU. The number of people recovered remains at three, but Hinshaw said they are working on a streamlined process to gather that data and expects the recovery numbers to rise in the coming days.

The full March 24 update from the province can be found here.