By Emily Keller

covid-19 update

22 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Alberta, AHS to implement more visiting restrictions

Mar 18, 2020 | 6:17 PM

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has confirmed 22 new cases of COVID-19 in the province.

This brings the total to 119.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says that six of the cases are currently in hospital, with three admitted to intensive care units (ICU). She adds that six of the 119 cases seem to be linked to community transmission.

Currently, there are now 83 in the Calgary zone, 27 in Edmonton, four in the North zone, three in the Central zone and two in the South zone. Dr. Hinshaw says one of the North zone cases seems to have been contracted in Edmonton.

Alberta Health has launched a map and data of where the affected areas in the zones are, and confirms there is one case in High Prairie and one in Cold Lake.

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She says that multiple cases have been reported from attendees of the Pacific Dental Conference that was held in Vancouver from March 5 to 7. All attendees are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days, and any attendees with symptoms should call Health Link at 811.

All non-urgent scheduled and elective surgeries in the province are being postponed, and those with scheduled procedures will be contacted. Urgent and emergency care, oncology and scheduled C-section procedures will continue.

“The decision to postpone elective surgeries and procedures was made by AHS staff, to ensure that AHS has the equipment, the staff, and the beds available for the expected increased demand on our healthcare system caused by COVID-19.” said Dr. Hinshaw.

Dr. Hinshaw says that AHS is also going to further restrict visitors in healthcare centres. She says only one visitor will be allowed at a time, and that they will need to be symptom-free. She says all children are being restricted from visiting as well.

“Children do not necessarily show symptoms of COVID-19, or have very mild symptoms. Exceptions for children will be reviewed and approved by unit managers or nursing staff on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances only.”

Non-emergency dental treatment are also being suspended.

All ski hills, including gondolas and chairlifts, will also be closed until further notice.

The province has also closed front counter, in-person access for certain services. This includes the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service, Corporate Registry and Land Titles, Consumer Investigations & Programs, and Surplus Sales. More information can be found at alberta.ca.

All travel outside the country is being strongly discouraged, and those returning from travel are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Anyone returning from travel before March 12 is being asked to monitor themselves for symptoms, and self-isolate if any appear.