Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw updates media on the COVID-19 situation in Edmonton on Friday March 20, 2020.--CP FILE PHOTO
One year ago, on March 8, 2020, the third and fourth “presumptive” cases of COVID-19 in Alberta were announced, and within days the numbers doubled and one was admitted to hospital.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical of health for Alberta, informed the public that the new cases identified were still travel related. One was a male who had returned Feb. 21 after a cruise. The fourth case was a close contact of someone who had travelled in Europe, including the Ukraine, Turkey and the Netherlands.
“While the risk of catching COVID-19 within the province remains low at this time, Alberta continues widespread testing and aggressive public health measures,” reads an Alberta Health press release dated March 8, 2020.
All “returning travellers” were told to monitor their health and if they experienced symptoms to isolate and call HealthLink.
“This applies only to returning travellers who are symptomatic with fever, or cough.”
In B.C., Dr. Bonnie Henry, chief medical officer of health, wiped tears from her eyes at a press conference and confirmed two cases of COVID-19 transmission within a North Vancouver long-term-care home. Within days she announced the first death in Canada related to COVID-19.
On March 9, the News reported there were at least 59 cases in Canada, 27 in B.C., 29 in Ontario and two in Quebec.
Testing capacity was being ramped up in Alberta, with 700 done on March 8.
“Evidence is rapidly emerging on COVID-19. … The virus generally only lasts a few hours on a surface, though it may be possible for it to last several days under ideal conditions,” said an Alberta Health spokesperson at that time.
Alberta Health’s website at the time stated that both COVID-19 and influenza are spread via small droplets from the nose and mouth.
“Neither one is spread through the air over long distances and times, unlike a disease like the measles,” the website stated.
By March 10, Alberta had seven cases. Hinshaw said the numbers were expected to rise but the “risk of catching the virus remains low.”
Hinshaw said new information was being prepared for schools and long-term-care centres.
“We need to get used to a new normal,” said Hinshaw. “We all need to be vigilant and take additional precautions to limit the risk for others.”
The provincial government was looking at solutions for people who would lose income if they were required to quarantine.
The City of Medicine Hat’s emergency management team was tentatively making preparations but noted that a public health emergency had not yet been declared.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa was working with provinces to ensure World Health Organization guidelines were being followed.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the “Canadian economy is strong enough to weather the economic impacts of the novel coronavirus.”
Canada’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Theresa Tam, asked Canadians to think twice about taking a cruise because of several cases linked to that.
On March 11, Alberta announced 19 confirmed cases, bringing the total to 23 – all travel related.
The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
On March 12 it was announced that Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had returned from the U.K. and tested positive.
That day Alberta announced “aggressive new public health measures” to limit spread.
All large international events, sporting, conferences etc., in Alberta were asked to cancel and Albertans were advised not to travel outside the country. Organizers were asked to cancel events with more than 250 people.
Hinshaw said the virus was spreading rapidly and was a global threat.
At this stage schools and daycares in Alberta were allowed to remain open, providing there were no more that 250 people in the same room.
The National Hockey League announced it was pausing its season.
The Alberta Legislature stopped tours and restricted public access to the building.
