By Alex McCuaig

Cautions against complacency

Hat an example of how to manage COVID, says infectious disease specialist

Oct 22, 2020 | 4:19 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A University of Calgary infectious disease specialist says Medicine Hat’s low infectious numbers are a good example of how a community can manage COVID-19.

But it’s also about a little bit of luck, said Craig Jenne, associate professor at the U of C’s Cumming School of Medicine.

“I think so far, so good and Medicine Hat is an example as to how to manage the disease at this particular point in time,” he said.

Singular social events that result in multiple cases of COVID-19 – known as super-spreader events – have been a cause of concern in the province.

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It’s these events which Medicine Hat has avoided, something Jenne says is likely the reason why Medicine Hat’s active cases have rarely reached double digits.

“This is where the numbers take off,” said Jenne. “If individual communities can avoid those events – and, or when you do get your handful of cases, efficiently isolate people, follow the guidelines and the rules – we can prevent larger outbreaks.”

Medicine Hat and Cypress County combined have had less than 150 cases of COVID-19 total since March. A number which is dwarfed by Brooks’ more than 1,100 cases.

However, Jenne cautions Hatters from being complacent as COVID-19 remains a threat to spreading within any community.

While Medicine Hat doesn’t have a masking bylaw and many activities have resumed in the community, such a situation can change and, with it, more expectations to take increased precautions.

“If there are very few, if any, active cases in a community, the risk is much lower even though the activities are the same,” said Jenne. “Now the catch to that is, that is only lower as long as the viral load in the community stays low.”

If that viral load starts increasing, activities Hatters currently enjoy could be in the same jeopardy as those in cities like Calgary and Edmonton.