Alberta Health releases stats on infection source
By GILLIAN SLADE on November 3, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com
Of current active cases of COVID-19, a total of 38.6 per cent were from a close contact, Alberta Health says.
In a recent press conference Premier Jason Kenney said a high number of cases were the result of Albertans not isolating or staying in quarantine as required.
A spokesperson for Alberta Health said there are no specific numbers for this cohort.
The recent number of active cases linked to travel is 3.23 per cent.
Since the start of the pandemic the total number of cases linked to travel outside Alberta is 6.17 per cent.
Of all international travellers arriving in Alberta in the last three months, 1.7 per cent ultimately tested positive for COVID-19. If you look at the rate of infection for international travellers since the beginning of the pandemic that percentage goes up to about 3.9 per cent. At the start of the pandemic a significant number of international travellers tested positive. In fact, in the early stages the majority of tests were for this group.
“Public health follows up on all returning travellers to ensure that they are self-isolating as required,” a spokesperson for Alberta Health told the News recently “Violations are rare … To date, only seven individuals have reported an unwillingness to isolate and were reported to AHS for follow-up.”
Those returning from international travel must isolate for 14 days as per provincial and federal regulations.
In Alberta, starting Monday, those arriving at Calgary International Airport or returning to Canada at the Coutts border crossing have the option of having a test on location to avoid the entire 14-day quarantine period.
They will still be required to isolate while they wait for the test results. If they test negative they are no longer in quarantine but will be required to take certain precautions such as wearing a face mask in public and avoiding high-risk groups.
They will also have to agree to a second test on day six or seven at a community pharmacy. Another requirement is daily reporting on their health.
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