Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Shaun Penner

COVID-19 death in Alberta

First COVID-19 death reported in Alberta; North zone jumps to 10 confirmed cases

Mar 19, 2020 | 5:02 PM

Alberta has recorded its first death from COVID-19.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says the man who died was in his 60’s from the Edmonton zone and had underlying health conditions. The man was admitted to Intensive Care on March 12, and succumbed to the illness Wednesday night.

Hinshaw also says it appears he contracted the virus in the community and not through travel.

“As heartbreaking as this news is, it was expected. This is a dangerous virus,” said Hinshaw. “While most people who become ill with COVID(-19) only experience mild symptoms, it can make others very sick.”

“I know that this news is frightening, and will add to people’s anxiety,” she added. “This is why we have taken the extreme measures we have.”

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During Thursday’s update, Dr. Hinshaw reported 27 new cases of the novel coronavirus in Alberta, raising the total to 146. Six new cases were reported in the North zone, bringing the zone total to 10 confirmed cases.

The province, as of press time, had not noted where those new cases are in the North zone.

Dr. Hinshaw also took time during Thursday’s press conference to remind citizens to not call 911 or Health Link 811 to report individuals who they feel should be self-isolating, or for businesses that may not be following the new social-distancing mandates.

“We must leave this line open for true emergencies. We are working with Justice and Solicitor General to develop a process for responding to these concerns, and we will provide an update when we reach a solution.”

But Hinshaw did stress the importance to everyone in the province of taking these new social distancing measures seriously, to try to help limit the number of fatalities in Alberta.

“These measures are hard on all of us. I urge you to take them seriously. We must continue to stand strong, together, even if from a distance.”