(Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

City more optimistic as case numbers remain low in city

Jan 19, 2021 | 8:53 AM

The director of emergency management for the City of Medicine Hat told council there are some positive signs in the battle against COVID-19 both regionally and province-wide.

Merrick Brown said Monday was one of the first days in a long time that the province has seen less than 12,000 active cases, with 11,923 active cases province-wide. Roughly two months ago, active case numbers across the province stood at around 21,000.

Brown said two weeks ago, he was cautious but also optimistic in regards to COVID-19 and its impact.

“The reason I was cautious was solely because of the holiday season. We saw what occurred over the holiday season. We essentially had that incredibly high uptick in cases. So I stood here two weeks ago with those case numbers coming down, but at the same time I was cautious given the fact that, we didn’t know what was going to occur during the holiday season,” he said.

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Brown noted restrictions are data-driven, and active case numbers are only one indicator. He also said hospitalizations and ICU rates are another important indicator.

“Hospitalizations and ICU rates are some of the biggest and most impactful indicators for restrictions. I was cautious because those numbers were not dropping. Two weeks ago those numbers were increasing. So even though we have active cases that are decreasing, we may see positivity rates decreasing, the hospitalization rates and ICU rates are one of the most direct indicators as to how we see the restrictions play out,” he said,

He also told council that this week is an eventful week, citing the easing of restrictions for personal wellness services. Outdoor gatherings were also increased to ten.

On Jan. 21, the province is expected to ease additional restrictions, but Brown said the public should be prepared for some restrictions to still be in place.

Brown also noted of some interest from provincial partners to bring about regionalized restrictions given Medicine Hat’s low case numbers but he could not say for sure if that would take place.

Mayor Ted Clugston said the city as a whole does not have an opinion on if regionalization of restrictions should occur, but he said he personally is in favor of it.

“I have a personal position on it. I am in favor of a regional approach to COVID-19. I think there should be some kind of reward, we are doing very well down here I think, and frankly I hear from business owners a lot more than some other people, and they are begging,” he said.