(file photo/CHAT NEWS)

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘A wake-up call:’ Health officials urge against COVID-19 complacency following a rise in cases

Jul 24, 2020 | 5:20 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- With cases of COVID-19 rising, government and health officials issued urgent pleas to the public this week. ” If you think that you can socialize with large groups of people in close quarters… knock it off,” Premier Jason Kenney said this week.
The sentiment shared with Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

“This needs to be a wakeup call. I am very concerned by these numbers, recently our active cases have risen sharply. On July 9 we had 590 active cases, today we have nearly 1300,” she said Monday.

Here in Medicine Hat, concerns about complacency are also prevalent among some members of the public.

”That depends on where you are, you know. I find more people are relaxing and letting down their guard, ” One woman said, adding she’s not surprised by the sudden jump in cases.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

2h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

22h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

“I think people are just over it. They don’t really see the need for it. I think not a lot of people have been affected by it or they don’t know people who have been affected by it, so it is hard for it to seem real to them,” another woman said.
Arrows directing traffic at the grocery store, markers indicating where to stand and masks are among some of the directives and recommendations under the public health order.

” I think some people are getting used to it. It’s still a pain in the butt but we make it work, and we do what we got to do,” one woman said.

“I find there is more conflict than anything, with the lines going each way at Canadian Tire and Wal- Mart, I find there is a lot of conflicts,” One man in downtown Medicine Hat said, adding he thinks more seniors should be wearing masks. Today, ( July 24) Canada’s Health Minister offered some words of wisdom this morning as people head into the weekend

“We have the ability to choose our destiny here in Canada, it is all in our hands, so ask yourself before you go out this weekend. Is what I’m about to do worth the risk? Is it worth the risk that I may end up very sick or someone in my circle will?” Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said.

According to the latest numbers, the total case count of COVID-19, across the country, spans over 112,000 cases, with Alberta having the third-highest rate of infection in Canada.