By Chris Brown

Regional numbers still unavailable

Confirmed cases continue to rise, 162 in the past 24 hours

Apr 16, 2020 | 3:44 PM

Alberta has seen another 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the largest one day spike in the province during the pandemic.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw also announced two more deaths, a male in his 70s in the Calgary Zone and a female in her 80s in the North Zone.

“The scale of this pandemic means we often talk in case numbers. But we must never forget that every case is a person, every death is a tragedy for the people who love them.”

More in-depth details, including regional case counts are still unavailable after an electrical fire at the data centre impacted the reporting system. Hinshaw said teams are working to restore the system and is hopeful it will be fixed in time for the Friday update.

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Hinshaw did not mention the JBS Food Canada in Brooks. The City of Brooks confirmed multiple cases of COVID-19 at the plant and one case among the staff of Sunrise Gardens continuing care centre.

On recent outbreaks at the Kearl Lake oilsands facility and the Cargill meat packing plant in High River, Hinshaw said all measures are being taken to limit the outbreak.

Governments and industry have formed a response plan for COVID-19 in food processing plants, the Alberta government announced.

Hinshaw attempted to calm concerns about outbreaks at health facilities

“We have not yet seen the peak of COVID-19 in Alberta,” said Hinshaw. “It is likely that we will continue to see occasional cases in every part of Alberta, including in some health-care settings. When cases do arise health officials take every possible step to isolate anyone who may be exposed and to ensure there is no broader risk to any patients.”

“It’s important to remember that COVID-19 is not airborne. Only specific individuals are at risk when positive cases are identified. If patients are at risk of being exposed, we will alert Albertans.”

Hinshaw re-iterated that golf courses are considered non-essential and should not be open, and said the same applies to driving ranges.

Hinshaw also recommended smokers and vapers should take steps to quit or cut down during the pandemic.

She said smoking and vaping can expose the lungs to toxic chemicals and while it is not clear if that increases the risk of catching the virus, they do increase the risk of severe illness to those who catch it. She said quitting can have positive outcomes in the prevention and treatment.

She also urged limiting drinking alcohol during this time and be mindful of how much they are drinking.

“It’s more important now than ever to look after both you’re physical and mental health.”

Knowing people are looking for a light at the end of the tunnel, Hinshaw said “we are doing everything possible to limit the spread in Alberta and get our province through this incredibly difficult time.”

She repeated again that the quickest way to get through this is to practise physical distancing, regularly washing your hands and following all other public health measures.

With no regional data since Tuesday, these are the most recent available local numbers:

Medicine Hat remains at 11 cases, with one case moving from active to recovered. The city now has six active cases and five recovered. Cypress County remains at six active cases, County of Forty Mile at two active cases and the MD of Taber at two recovered cases.

Read the full April 16 update from the province here.