AHS won’t say how many, if any, are in local hospital with COVID-19
By GILLIAN SLADE on April 16, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade There are many questions related to COVID-19 that Alberta Health Services has been repeatedly asked, along with Alberta Health, but are still choosing not to disclose. How many cases of COVID-19 there might be at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, remains a mystery. “We are not able to share specific patient information unfortunately,” said Katherine Chubbs, chief zone officer for Alberta Health Services’ south zone. Specific case information aside, the News asked again how many COVID-19 patients are in the hospital? “We are not able to share that either,” said Chubbs, noting privacy regulations. The public could make assumptions about the situation when this information is not provided. “Don’t make assumptions,” said Chubbs pointing out the need to assume that the virus is out there and the importance of maintaining social distancing. As the pandemic has progressed the numbers are high in Calgary in particular, and low in the south zone. Chubbs says she understands that thinking but we have the low numbers in this region because people have practised social distancing. Today’s numbers could be different in the weeks to come. Chubbs did not have specific COVID-19 numbers predicted for the south zone, which includes Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, at the anticipated peak of the pandemic. 12-11
