By Chris Brown

Nearly 100 cases confirmed today

Provincial total of COVID-19 cases climbs toward 1,000; sixth case in Medicine Hat

Apr 2, 2020 | 3:46 PM

Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced 97 new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, bringing the provincial total to 968. There are two more cases in the South Zone, one in Medicine Hat and the other in Lethbridge. The South Zone now has 14 cases, six of which are in Medicine Hat.

There have also been two more deaths in the province. One death was that of a male in his 90s in the Calgary Zone, the other a male in his 80s in the North Zone.

Of the 968 total cases in the province, 174 are considered to be recovered.

An earlier testing backlog now dealt with, Alberta has been able to test more than 4,000 people in the past 24 hours, Hinshaw said, with 98 per cent of the tests coming back negative.

Community transmissions continue to be a concern, as Hinshaw noted 108 cases to be suspected to be a result of that.

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With outbreaks in nine continuing care centres across the province the chief medical officer of health issued new standards for operators and staff in the event of any suspected case at those facilities. The standards, enforceable by law, will help keep everyone as physically safe as possible and will mitigate the risk of further spread within and between facilities.

Staff and operators will be required to notify public health as soon as a cases is suspected or confirmed, and if two or more residents exhibit COVID-like symptoms,” says Hinshaw.

Staff who may work at multiple facilities are required, when there is a confirmed outbreak, to immediately inform their supervisors if they have worked at or are working at a facility where there is a confirmed or suspected case, Hinshaw said.

Hinshaw again stressed the basics of how to prevent the spread of the virus.

“If you are feeling ill in any way, stay home. Practice physical distancing whenever you are out in public. Continue to practice good hygiene by frequently washing your hands with soap and water. I cannot stress enough how important these measure are. COVID-19 is spread by close contact, which means everyone of us must do our part in breaking the chain of transmission and keeping ourselves and others safe.”

Hinshaw predicted more than 1 million cases worldwide by the end of the day and later said society-wide restrictions are likely to be in place for months.

“I know that’s challenging but these measures are all we have to take care of one another.”

More aggressive measures such as shelter-in-place – where the entire population is asked to stay at home except for essential business – are still a possibility.

“Our advice to date has gotten quite close to that,” says Hinshaw, also noting the possibility of closing provincial boundaries at some point.

Hinshaw says there have been no confirmed cases on First Nations reserves in Alberta and praised various health services that have ben working together to keep those communities safe.

She also cautioned those who see no benefit to the modelling, projections and measures being enacted. She said what is being seen in places like New York City, Italy and Spain is what we would be seen in Alberta if we weren’t taking the steps we are.

“This is not influenza, this is something that no one has immunity to and has a higher rate of hospitalization and death than influenza does. (The modelling) helps people understand the importance of the measures we’re taking.”

The full April 2 update from the province can be found here.

Note: This story has been updated to correct today’s number of new confirmed cases to 97. Dr. Deena Hinshaw misspoke during the news conference.