Screengrab from livestream - Deputy chief medical officer of health Dr. Marcia Johnson speaks to the province during a weekend COVID-19 update.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
This weekend, 64 new cases of COVID-19 were announced in Alberta.
The government held a Youtube livestream Saturday announcing 31 new cases of the virus, then sent out a release Sunday explaining the other 33. The new total in Alberta is 259 cases of coronavirus.
Of the total cases, 18 are hospitalized, seven have been admitted to intensive care units and one person has died.
As of Sunday night Medicine Hat has two confirmed cases, the same as Friday.
There are 164 cases in the Calgary zone, 60 in the Edmonton zone, 18 in the North zone, 10 in the Central zone and seven in the South zone.
Of the total cases, 63% are in the Calgary zone. Men make up 59% of the cases.
The closest confirmed case to Medicine Hat is one in Taber. Lethbridge has four cases.
During the Saturday press conference, deputy chief medical officer of health Dr. Marcia Johnson took questions from reporters.
She continually noted that slowing the spread of the virus is the top priority. She stressed the importance of social distancing and staying indoors.
She said police will be given power to give fines to people not following quarantine or proper social behaviour. She did not give much detail on how it would work.
A handful of cases in the province are due to a dental conference in Vancouver, though she did not give an exact number.
The government is warning of scams, and reminding people to never give out personal or banking information over the phone.
A key to flattening the curve is to stay two arm lengths away from people you do not live with, said Johnson.
Johnson also confirmed one case in a seniors living facility in the province, but wouldn’t say where.
People are encouraged to go outside and enjoy nature, but to make sure to stay safe distances from people.
Seniors facilities will begin to enforce stronger restrictions for visitors. Essential visitors will be restricted to a single person who can be family, a friend or a paid companion. Every visitor will undergo a health screening.
The government is still discouraging travel outside of the country. Any travellers returning from another country are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days – even if they feel well and symptom-free.
Anyone who has returned to the province since March 12 is asked to monitor their health and symptoms.
