By Chris Brown

Expanding testing

Province sees 81 new cases, two more deaths

Apr 13, 2020 | 3:43 PM

Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced 81 new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, bringing the provincial total to 1,732. The chief medical officer of health also announced another 54 recoveries from yesterday, bringing the provincial total to 877, and announced two more deaths. The deaths were both in the Calgary Zone.

The number of Medicine Hat cases remains at 11, seven active and four recovered. There are 33 cases in the South Zone, up two from yesterday. One of those cases is in Cypress County. There are no other changes to cases in the immediate area.

“The loss of these lives is a reminder of why we are taking the measures that are implemented now. Preventing the spread prevents deaths,” she said.

Finding the right time to relax restrictions will be key in the future.

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Hinshaw said this distancing will not last forever, but relaxing them comes with danger.

“If we release our hold on restrictions too soon, we could undo all of the work and all of the sacrifices that we’ve collectively made to get to this point. We know that these restrictions are not easy and that they are causing hardship and that we are making plans to ease them off in a way that will have the least impact on the progression of the disease,” she said.

Hinshaw said outdoor recreation, such as golf courses, is on the list of services being monitored for potential openings, but asked Albertans to trust the decisions are being made with the utmost care and concern.

Testing and putting measures in place for confirmed cases and contacts also prevents the spread of the virus, said Hinshaw.

“We have seen from other jurisdictions that have successfully flattened the curve that aggressive testing is essential to controlling the spread,” says Hinshaw, praising the provincial lab for increasing its capacity for testing to meet the demand.

She said 2,465 tests have been done in the past 24 hours, and 77,007 total and that the quantity of tests is important but they must also be purposeful in the testing. So eligibility for testing has once again been expanded.

Effective immediately, we are expanding eligibility for testing to anyone in Alberta who has a fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose or a sore throat.

“If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to remember the critical first step,” says Hinshaw. “Stay home if you’re sick.”

“Your next step should be to take the AHS online assessment form in order to arrange testing,” she added. “Completing this online form is the most efficient way to arrange for a test.”

Hinshaw said the system will be closely monitored and adjustments will be made in the future if able or needed.

“As long as we maintain our testing and lab capacity, it is my hope that we can continue to offer this broad access to testing,” she said.

With the increased eligibility for testing, will come an increase in the number of confirmed cases, Hinshaw said, noting that’s already been seen with other eligibility expansions.

“I know seeing this increase in numbers may be a concern to some, but it’s important to remember the number of daily confirmed cases as a per cent of the tests done every day has remained approximately similar through the past several weeks,” she said, noting it has sat around two per cent.

Another measuring stick used by Hinshaw and her team is the rate of hospitalizations. She said that is currently a more accurate reflection of the trend than total case numbers.

COVID-19 hospitalization trends will be released in the coming days, said Hinshaw.

Read the full April 13 update from the province here.