By Chris Brown

Chief Medical Officer Update

Five more COVID-19 deaths in Alberta

Mar 30, 2020 | 4:41 PM

There have been five additional COVID-19 deaths in Alberta since Sunday, bringing the provincial total to eight.

“This news is heartbreaking for all of us,” says Dr. Deena Hinshaw. “This has been one of the hardest days yet.”

Hinshaw confirmed 29 new cases since the Sunday update, bringing the provincial total to 690. The South Zone’s total remains at 12, with Medicine Hat’s total at five.

Hinshaw said several factors have led to the decrease in new cases over the past few days, including that travellers returning to Canada are no longer being tested.

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“We have also had a decrease in the total daily tests in the lab over the past few days given some challenges with lab testing supplies,” Hinshaw explains. “It will take us several days more of this new testing protocol to get enough data to understand our trends. I expect by the end of this week we will have a better sense of what this data means to our risk in Alberta.”

The five deaths included two people in long-term or seniors’ facilities in Calgary. The other deaths were a woman in her 50s in the Calgary Zone, a man in his 80s in the Edmonton Zone and man in his 30s in North Zone.

This news is heartbreaking for all of us. This has been one of the hardest days yet.”

The outbreak at the Mackenzie Towne facility in Calgary has grown to 36 residents and five staff members with probable or confirmed cases, and 65 of the total cases in Alberta are suspected to be a community transmission.

Hinshaw calls those worrying numbers.

“We must redouble our effects to protect those who are most vulnerable to this virus,” she said.

More stringent rules on those in self-isolation under the federal Quarantine Act were announced by Hinshaw.

Alberta and some other provinces were allowing those people to leave their property for short walks. A uniform rule across the country is now in effect after discussions with her federal and provincial counterparts.

If you are quarantined because you recently came back from outside the country or were a close contact of a confirmed case “you must remain on your own property,” Hinshaw said. “Under no circumstance should you leave your property during the 14- days of self-isolation.”

The yard, deck or balcony are OK, Hinshaw said.

Hinshaw took time to say thanks to those self-isolating, choosing to stay home with even a mild illness and those safely going to work in critical jobs.

She also asked everyone to follow guidelines and take care of themselves and others.

“Following the public health guidance will save lives,” she said.

The full March 30 update from the province can be found here