Some grocery stores have run out of items such as toilet paper as the number of COVID-19 cases rise. (EverythingGP Staff)

By Emily Keller

covid-19

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer says stocking up amid coronavirus concerns not necessary

Mar 9, 2020 | 2:34 PM

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has announced that all seven cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the province.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says four of the cases are in the Calgary Zone while the other three are in Edmonton.

Dr. Hinshaw says anyone who is feeling ill should stay home for at least 14 days, but that stocking up on supplies like toilet paper and groceries are not necessary.

“That behaviour, in some ways, creates the problem that they were afraid of. So, it sort of reinforces that vicious cycle, but in this particular scenario, what’s most important is if people, again, think about who’s in their neighbourhood, who’s in their family. If they were asked to be self-isolated, so if it’s somebody who was in close contact with a case and they needed to stay home for 14 days, who could help them get groceries? Does their pharmacy deliver medications?

“There are other ways of getting those kinds of products if you do have to stay home for 14 days, it’s not necessary for every household in Alberta to have a 14-day stock of all critical supplies. This is something, again, that we can work together as communities and help support each other.”

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Anyone who believes they have contracted the virus is asked to contact Health Link 811 for instructions instead of going to a medical clinic or hospital.

She says over the weekend, over 1,000 tests for the new coronavirus were done and that Health Link 811 is increasing capacity.

Dr. Hinshaw says all cases in Alberta are travel-related, and that risk of exposure to the virus in the province is still low, but that may change in the coming weeks.