Photo: Government of Alberta

By Shaun Penner

COVID-19 UPDATE

New measures for continuing care centres as province surpasses 5,000 COVID-19 cases

Apr 29, 2020 | 4:18 PM

Alberta surpassed 5,000 cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, as the province’s chief medical officer announced new measures for continuing care centres.

Based on 5,205 tests completed over the past 24 hours, the province added 315 new cases of COVID-19 for April 29 to bring the total number of cases to 5,165. Three new cases were identified in the North Zone, with one of those coming from the Big Lakes County area. Another was identified in the Woodlands County area, which is the first case reported in the area that includes the Town of Whitecourt.

The North Zone now has 205 cases as of Wednesday.

Updated case totals among Peace Region municipalities can be found below:

• City of Grande Prairie: Two cases (Both recovered)
• County of Grande Prairie: Five cases (Two active, three recovered)
• M.D. of Greenview: Two cases (One active, one recovered)
• M.D. of Smoky River: 65 cases (22 active, 33 recovered, ten deaths)
• Big Lakes County: 34 cases (14 active, 18 recovered, two deaths)
• M.D. of Lesser Slave River: Five cases (One active, four recovered)
• Northern Sunrise County: Three cases (All recovered)
• M.D. of Peace: Seven cases (All recovered)
• Clear Hills County: One case (Fatal)
• County of Northern Lights: One case (Recovered)
• Mackenzie County: 20 cases (19 active, one recovered)

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Seven more people have died over the past 24 hours in the province, who were all residents of continuing care facilities in the Calgary Zone. The death toll in Alberta because of COVID-19 now sits at 87.

136,511 people have now been tested for COVID-19 in Alberta as of April 29. 10,727 tests have been completed for North Zone residents.

1,953 have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 153 from Tuesday.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw also announced new measures for continuing care facilities across Alberta during her daily update on Wednesday, as the province has now identified 503 cases among residents of such facilities.

With outbreaks identified at 30 different long term care facilities across the province, Dr. Hinshaw said there is still much concern surrounding these facilities.

“At the same time, I have heard the preventive measures that have been put in place to prevent outbreaks have had negative impacts on the quality of life for many residents.”

With that, Dr. Hinshaw announced new protective measures for continuing care centres, including testing residents that show even mild symptoms of COVID-19. Those residents will be isolated until their test results come back.

In instances where one person in a unit is confirmed to have COVID-19, all residents in that same unit will be tested, even if they are asymptomatic. Staff members caring for isolating residents must wear eye protection, gown, mask, visor, gloves, and any other required personal protective equipment

However, Dr. Hinshaw also announced a new measure that will allow residents that are not in isolation to be able to have outdoor visits with a designated essential visitor and one other person. All visitors will have to wear a mask or face covering and must stay at least two meters apart from others.

“Maintaining connections with family and friends is paramount during the pandemic. Especially for residents in continuing care and licensed supporting living settings,” said Dr. Hinshaw. “I want to emphasize that restricting visitors into these facilities continues to be necessary to protect the long-term safety of staff, residents and visitors, especially in facilities with a confirmed outbreak.”