COVID one year ago: Alberta deaths begin to climb as March draws to a close
By Gillian Slade Southern Alberta Newspapers on March 27, 2021.
It was during the 10 days at the end of March last year that the number of COVID deaths jumped from one to eight in the province. Briefings from Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, became daily routine. March 22, 2020 Hinshaw announces 226 positive COVID cases. Eleven in hospital – six in ICU – and one death. The South zone had seven confirmed cases. March 23, 2020 An additional 42 cases confirmed for a total of 301. Three have recovered. Returning travellers no longer have to be tested. “Travellers who returned to Alberta after March 12 and have mild symptoms will no longer be tested for COVID-19,” states a press release at the time. “Instead, the same advice applied to all Albertans will apply to them … self-isolate at home and away from others.” Testing prioritized for the symptomatic in hospital with respiratory illnesses, residents of continuing care facilities and travellers returning between March 8 and 12 before isolation protocols were in place. Rest stops and washrooms on highways close and Albertans encouraged to stay close to home. Physicians given new billing codes to offer virtual patient visits by phone or video conference. March 24, 2020 “Kenney slams hoarders, scammers,” read the headline. “To those who are trying to exploit seniors and others during this time of a public health emergency, there must be a special place in hell for people like that. Just stop it,” said Premier Jason Kenney. Kenney was addressing the clearing out of supermarket and drug store shelves. Items like toilet paper and sanitizer are hard to find. Many supermarkets begin offering early morning shopping exclusively for seniors. WestJet announces 33% reduced service between Medicine Hat and Calgary. March 25, 2020 Alberta announces a second death — a woman in her 80s living in a Calgary LTC facility. There are 358 total cases. Alberta Health says there is no specific treatment but drugs are being tested. A COVID-19 clinic opens at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for assessment and treatment of referred patients. Countries such as Italy start testing all residents in specific areas where the number of cases is particularly high. “Alberta is doing the most COVID-19 testing per capita in North America,” said Tom McMillan spokesperson for Alberta Health in an email. “There are assessment centres open throughout Alberta and AHS can open more if needed.” McMillan says there will be challenges to testing everyone. Amendments to the Procedures Regulation under the Provincial Offences Procedures Act are announced. “Fines now administered through tickets for violating an order have increased from $100 per day to a prescribed fine of $1,000 per occurrence,” states a government press release. “Courts will also have increased powers to administer fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations.” March 26, 2020 Public Health Orders include a 14-day self-isolation for returning international travellers or close contacts of people with COVID, and a 10-day self-isolation for people with symptoms not related to a pre-existing illness. There are 2,020 cases in Canada and 27 deaths. Alberta has 419 cases and two deaths. Lethbridge has three cases, Medicine Hat five and Taber two. March 27, 2020 Social gatherings limited to 15. Restrictions imposed on non-essential businesses, including clothing, shoes, hobby, toys, sporting goods, jewelry and non-essential health and beauty care. Alberta announces supports for renters with limits on eviction and a freeze on rent increases. Fifty-sex cases in Alberta announced for a total of 542. March 28, 2020 Alberta Health Services postpones some diagnostic imaging procedures and physicians are asked to stop “all non-essential and routine laboratory testing.” March 29, 2020 A third death is announced, and the province reaches 661 cases and 41 hospitalizations, with 14 in ICU and 73 recovered cases. Three long-term care facilities in the province have outbreaks. March 31, 2020 Hinshaw announces five deaths, bringing the provincial total to eight. Tougher restrictions for people self-isolating are imposed: no more walks in the neighbourhood or parks, and those in apartments are told not to use elevators, stairwells or communal laundry rooms. 45-44
