Health staff taking COVID-19 samples at a drive-thru testing facility at the Brooks Health Centre on Thursday. (Photo by Alex McCuaig)

By Alex McCuaig

Residents fearful, taking precautions

Anxiety in Brooks rises with the number of COVID-19 infections, deaths

Apr 23, 2020 | 4:58 PM

BROOKS, AB – A steady stream of cars lined up in front of the Brooks Health Centre Thursday with individuals and even families with small children waiting their turn to get tested for COVID-19 as they sat in their vehicles.

It’s a sight not even fathomable a few weeks ago but one which brings home the reality of the situation the city of Brooks now finds itself in – a municipality with 311 cases of coronavirus and the epicentre of positive cases in Alberta Health Services South Zone.

The fear is real for the majority of those on the streets of Brooks picking up parcels and mail near the city’s post office, though not unanimous.

For resident Margaret Jensen, she’s scared.

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“I’m an elderly woman and I’m taking as many precautions as I can and from what I understand from the publicity, a lot of people aren’t,” she said. “I’m just wondering when somebody is going to step up and fine them or do something.”

On Wednesday, Brooks RCMP did fine a 19-year-old man $1,200 after he was found violating a public health order to self-quarantine.

Brooks resident Kelly Wallace suspects there were a number of cases of COVID-19 in the lead up to the current sharp rise in cases which have hit the city in the past week.

“I think maybe there were cases here but we weren’t aware of them because they weren’t being reported because I don’t know if there was testing being done,” she said. “Now that it’s out there and everybody is aware, I think there has been a little more anxiety and more due diligence on everybody’s part.”

Brian Reinboldt says he understands there are fears of keeping the JBS beef processing facility open after a number of cases – including two deaths of workers from the plant – but to close it would be a hit to the local economy and the supply of beef products in the country.

“It’s a bit scary for sure,” said Reinholdt. “We’re definitely going upwards here instead of downwards. So, it’s worrisome. It feels like we need to keep people working – especially at the plant. JBS provides a lot of beef so we need to keep working if we can.”

Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita told CHAT News Today that the sharp increase in community transmission of the virus in the city has elevated anxiety.

“That being said, we knew COVID was coming. We’re definitely not happy with the rate at which it’s coming but we’re working on trying to keep that down to a minimum,” said Morishita. “But we need everybody’s help to do that.”

Morishita said he was expecting a community testing facility to be opening very shortly to help identify cases.

A statement from AHS on the situation in Brooks said in part, “in response to the rising number of cases in Brooks, AHS is preparing to further bolster testing in Brooks. The logistics of this plan are in the final stages and will be shared as soon as they are ready.”