Hinshaw: Gradual openings in COVID hotspots are necessary

After yesterday’s announcement that Brooks and Calgary will undergo a more gradual relaunch than the rest of the province, Hinshaw said she heard many complaints that the decision is unfair to residents of those cities.

The chief medical officer of health said the focus is on finding a balance between the health of Albertans from both the effects of COVID-19 and the impacts of a prolonged shutdown.

“If we move too far in either direction, neglecting the other, the outcomes will be worse,” she said. “Our best path is in seeking that balance and making adjustments along the way.”

After questions about clarity on which businesses can open in Stage 1, Hinshaw said all businesses that are not specifically named as opening in Stages 2 or 3 are included in Stage 1.

“But let me be clear – businesses starting to reopen does not mean it’s back to normal,” she said, adding the public health recommendations that have been repeated time and time again over the past two months are the “new normal.”

Hinshaw said those businesses that are reopening are required to fill out a form at the Alberta Biz Connect site that details what they are doing to reassure customers and staff that their health is being protected.

She also said a maximum number of people allowed in any retail stores since one number won’t work for every business.

“Retail businesses are responsible for ensuring that their measures … make it as easy as possible for patrons to stay two metres away from others at all times,” she said.

Hinshaw has so far stopped short of making a rule that people must wear masks when out in public, but did encourage the practice.

“We are entering a new world together, and we will succeed by supporting each other through the challenges that relaunch presents.”

The number of active cases in Brooks has dropped to 91, while 972 cases are recovered. There are still seven deaths in Brooks, and the total number of cases rose by two, to 1,070.

Medicine Hat has one more case for a total of 35. Of those, five are active and 30 recovered.

In the South Zone there are 1,174 cases, an increase of four from Wednesday.

Across Alberta, 5,205 cases have recovered and 1,131 remain active. There is one more death, for a total of 121.

There are currently 65 people in hospital with COVID-19, 10 of those in ICU.

On May 11, the province began putting a more detailed chart online for each zone.

The County of Newell has 13 cases, two active and 11 recovered.

In Cypress County, they are reporting 10 cases of COVID-19, three active and seven recovered.

The County of Forty Mile and Municipal District of Taber each have two confirmed cases both listed as recovered.

Special Areas No. 2 has two confirmed cases, one recovered and one death.

The City of Lethbridge has 20 active cases, five listed as active and 15 recovered. Lethbridge County has one recorded recovered case.

Read the full May 14 update from the province here.

by Chris Brown

Hinshaw: Gradual openings in COVID hotspots are necessary

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