Hinshaw encourages all demonstrators to go for COVID-19 testing

Medicine Hat is currently showing one active case and 35 recovered cases for a total of 36 cases. CHAT News is seeking clarification on the total, as it represents a decrease of seven cases since Saturday’s update, though it is not uncommon for cases to be reclassified between zones as more information about the patient becomes available.

In Brooks, the update shows 1,117 total cases — one active case and 1,107 recovered. There are nine deaths in Brooks.

Cypress County is showing three active cases and 18 recovered, while the County of Newell is showing one active case and 19 recovered.

The chief medical officer of health said even though the number of new cases has slowed down in recent weeks, Albertans must still continue to take steps to protect each other.

She commended those who wore masks and stayed two metres away from each other attended anti-racism demonstrations over the past week.

“The freedom to protest is a critical one and yet we face a challenge in this time of pandemic to do so without risking super spreader events,” Hinshaw said.” I want to encourage all those who attended this weekend to go for COVID-19 testing whether or not you have symptoms.”

She also urged demonstrators to be mindful of their activities — including staying two metres away from others and wearing a face mask — in the next two weeks as contact tracing from such a large event presents extra challenges. Hinshaw said she’s invited organizers to discuss ways of making similar events safer in the future.

“As we start to see small increases in cases in some of our communities, we need to think creatively about how we hold space for voices that need to be heard while not risking the low case counts that we have collectively worked so hard to achieve.”

Hinshaw also revealed that nearly 15,000 asymptomatic Albertans have been tested since May 12 and just six of those tests came back positive.

She said further details of the next step in Alberta’s relaunch will be shared later this week.

Hinshaw said the toll the virus has taken on people’s mental health is becoming more clear and said she is “very concerned.”

“I know mental health can be a difficult topic to talk about. Reaching out can sometimes feel like the hardest thing to do, even with close friends or family members. As hard as it might seem, we need to talk openly and honestly about our issues and how they affect us.”

She encouraged people to reach out, adding capacity to take calls has been increased by the province’s mental health and addictions helpline. The number is 1-877-303-2642.

Hinshaw said a confidential survey is now online for Albertans to share their COVID-19 experiences. The results will give AHS a better understanding of its response and how it can be improved going forward.

She acknowledged the start of National Blood Donor Week and encouraged donations.

Hinshaw said the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers are now allowed to resume practising in their home arenas with public health measures in place.

To begin the update, Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced expanded billing codes for virtual care to aid in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic introduced in March are now permanent.

“Virtual care has been an important part of our COVID-19 response, protecting patients, doctors, and clinic staff by providing an alternative to office visits that avoids the risk of contact with the virus,” he said. “These visits have proved their value, so we’re making them permanent, to allow physicians and patients to keep using them as appropriate while being fairly compensated.”

Hinshaw will provide her next in-person update on Wednesday.

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

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

Special Areas No. 2 has no cases on the map. There was previously one recovered case and one death attributed to the region.

The City of Lethbridge has 32 cases, four listed as active and 28 recovered. Lethbridge County has one case currently considered active.

Read the full June 8 update from the province here.

by Chris Brown

Hinshaw encourages all demonstrators to go for COVID-19 testing

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