Masterpiece reporting good health among staff, residents
By GILLIAN SLADE on May 23rd, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade A week ago Masterpiece Southland Meadow seniors’ residence reported one positive case of CVOID-19 among its staff but there have been no further positive tests. “As of today (Friday), we have no additional cases of COVID 19,” said Paula Isfeld, vice president of care. Masterpiece has had a strict protocol in place to screen ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!NDP mum on its staffer salaries
By GILLIAN SLADE on May 23rd, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade The Official Opposition is refusing to comment on its complement of staff and their salaries. Leader of the NDP, Rachel Notley, declined an interview this week to talk about Premier Jason Kenney’s office staff of 19 who make more than $2.9 million annually. Kenney’s office has stated that under the NDP the salaries of ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Alberta must rely on Health Canada for international travellers landing in another province
By GILLIAN SLADE on May 23rd, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade The government has enhanced measures for international arrivals at Alberta airports but is relying on Health Canada to cover Albertans who terminate their international flight in another province and return home on a domestic flight. Particularly for destinations in Europe, many international flights depart from Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal. Someone flies from Calgary to ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Asymptomatic testing to begin at LTC facilities, non-urgent surgeries coming next week
By Medicine Hat News on May 23rd, 2020
Starting Monday voluntary COVID-19 testing will be available in long-term care and level 4 designated supportive living facilities even for those without any symptoms. Non-urgent surgeries requiring a hospital stay will also resume next week. These surgeries had been on hold to make sure the health-care system had capacity to help those affected by COVID-19. ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Rainy week a welcome sign for region’s farmers
By RYAN MCCRACKEN on May 23rd, 2020
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken A week’s worth of wet weather may have kept Hatters holed up indoors, but it’s done wonders for local farmers. With a few dozen millimetres of rainfall over the past week, Steve Miller with Erwin Schlenker Farms says crops are getting the boost they need to thrive after an arid seeding season. “It was ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City to allow use of playgrounds, skateparks and other outdoor rec areas on May 29
By Medicine Hat News on May 23rd, 2020
Playgrounds and other outdoor recreation structures will be open for public use on May 29, the Medicine Hat parks department announced Friday. Jungle gyms, swing sets, skateparks, fitness parks and other equipment had been off limits by order of provincial public health officials this spring in order to limit spread of COVID-19. This week, the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Antibody testing couple weeks away
By GILLIAN SLADE on May 23rd, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Alberta Health says COVID-19 antibody tests could be available in Alberta within a couple of weeks. “Serological testing is important because it allows us to see who within the population has antibodies to this specific virus, and therefore who has had previous exposure,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director communication for Alberta Health. About two ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Clugston open to use of Truth and Reconciliation statement but not before speeches
By COLLIN GALLANT on May 23rd, 2020
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Mayor Ted Clugston wants to see an “acknowledgement statement” drafted by city staff related to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, but says he won’t take part in the practice of announcing local treaties before his own speeches. On Monday, city council asked staff to create an acknowledgement statement after receiving a recommendation from ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Mask policies changing, even at the bank
By RYAN MCCRACKEN on May 23rd, 2020
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken The Public Health Agency of Canada revised its stance on masks Wednesday to recommend all Canadians wear non-medical face coverings wherever maintaining six feet of social distance is not possible – however that creates a unique issue for businesses that previously prohibited concealed faces, like banks. There was a time, not too long ago, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Group claims churches facing rules that other places of gathering aren’t
By GILLIAN SLADE on May 22nd, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms sent a legal letter to the government claiming unfair guidelines issued for places of worship that are not applied to other places people congregate. Provincial guidelines for places of worship include the need to “keep a list of congregants who were present for services” and an “up-to-date contact ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Wild Horse crossing not yet included in provincial COVID screening plans
By Medicine Hat News on May 22nd, 2020
A plan to have provincial officials screen and monitor international travellers who arrive in Alberta doesn’t yet and may not include the Port of Wild Horse, south of Medicine Hat, or other low-volume border crossings. All non-essential travel is suspended at U.S. entry points, where commercial transport workers follow separate guidelines from other travellers who ... Read More »
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