COVID-19 cases spike in Alberta, two more deaths

Four child care centres in Medicine Hat are on an expanded list of those allowed to open to provide child care for essential workers.

Dragons and Butterflies Creative Preschool, Nature’s Way Learning Centre, Building Blocks Child Care Centres #1 and Crayon Academy Inc. SE are the ones listed.

Kenney and later Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the chief medical officer of health, said the spike is due to a backlog of tests that had developed finally being worked through. The backlog was due to a shortage of a re-agent essential to the testing.

Alberta Health Services expects to take delivery within days of new rapid testing kits, which will expand the testing capacity by thousands per day.

“The more we test the better informed we’ll be about where the numbers are headed and the better we can plan for the health-care response.”

“The more we test the better informed we’ll be about where the numbers are headed and the better we can plan for the health-care response,” says Kenney, adding the province remains confident it has the health-care personnel and equipment needed to cope with anticipated hospitalizations.

Kenney says about two per cent of those tested in Alberta have tested positive for COVID-19. Hinshaw noted 94 cases in the province are suspected to be a result of community transmission and 142 Albertans have recovered from the virus.

Hinshaw said her greatest concern is the health and safety of those in seniors’ living facilities. There are currently 41 cases of COVID-19 in continuing care facilities, including outbreaks in four locations across Alberta, none of which are in the South Zone.

Kenney issued a call to action to Albertans to show support for truck drivers, who stay behind the wheel to bring Albertans “the essential we need.”

“On behalf of the government and people of Alberta, I want to salute and thank those truck drivers for all that they are doing under trying circumstances during this pandemic,” he said. “Let’s all find some way to acknowledge and thank the truck drivers, without whom we could not continue to function.”

The premier also acknowledged businesses that have made changes to operations, making such moves as opening up public restrooms and offering curbside delivery, or allowing walk-up orders at drive-thrus.

Hinshaw and Kenney continued to preach self-isolation, physical distancing and proper hand hygiene as the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus.

“But it is just as necessary to take care of your overall health, both physical and mental,” Hinshaw said.

The full April 1 update from the province can be found here.

by Chris Brown

COVID-19 cases spike in Alberta, two more deaths

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