By Curtis Galbraith

COVID-19 update: 10 new cases in Alberta, zero tolerance for cold-like symptoms at daycares, schools

Mar 14, 2020 | 4:18 PM

Alberta Health says 10 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, six of those in Calgary and four in Edmonton.

There are no confirmed cases in the North Zone at this time.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says two of these people, one each in Calgary and Edmonton, are being treated in intensive care and both are in their 60s. The others are in self-isolation and expected to make full recoveries.

Eight of the cases are related to travel to a dental conference in Vancouver, along with trips to Las Vegas, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Pakistan. Investigations continue with the other two.

Dr. Hinshaw adds she understands people may be “alarmed” when cases increase.

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“As I’ve said before, we need to get used to a new normal. The reality is that we can expect cases of COVID-19 to continue in Alberta and around Canada for months. We have taken aggressive measures to limit the acceleration of spread, but we will not be able to completely stop it. I want to emphasize that we cannot be complacent, we must be vigilant.”

Dr. Hinshaw adds there is a zero-tolerance policy in place for schools and daycares for anyone with symptoms like a cough or fever.

“So, any child who has symptoms will be asked to not come to school. If a child develops any of those symptoms at school, they will be immediately isolated in a room away from other children and a parent or guardian will be asked to come and pick them up.”

The province is also going to start posting information on flights that may have been at risk of exposure. That will include the flight number, date, and seats that may have been at risk. Passengers in those seats will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days after getting home and monitor their symptoms. Other passengers on the same flight will not have to self-isolate but should watch their symptoms as well.

The province has developed a guide for many topics related to COVID-19. It can be found here.