What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Tuesday, May 5
CBC News | Posted: May 5, 2020 3:28 PM | Last Updated: May 6, 2020
Health official says Albertans need to remain vigilant, even as new cases start to fall
The latest:
- The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta was down for the fourth day in a row, with 57 new cases on Tuesday.
- Alberta's campgrounds will open next month with 50 per cent occupancy, no out-of-province campers.
- Inspectors union calls for closure of 3rd Alberta meat plant with COVID-19 outbreak.
- After taking control of Millrise Seniors Village, AHS has handed over operations to another organization after a fourth resident dies.
- Calgary's mayor wants clear directions from province on reopening businesses.
- Enbridge will store oil in its Mainline pipeline as glut grows.
- Alberta's top medical official is warning Albertans that 'the storm is not over' and continued vigilance is needed.
- Elective surgeries resumed on Monday.
- Experts say despite flaws, Alberta's contact tracing app is worth using.
What you need to know today in Alberta:
For the fourth day in a row, the number of new cases reported in Alberta was below triple digits on Tuesday afternoon. The province however reported two more deaths, for a total of 106.
Watch: COVID-19: How cities might change to allow for physical distancing.
Despite the lower numbers, Dr. Deena Hinshaw is warning Albertans that the danger has not passed and continued vigilance is required to prevent another wave as restrictions are slowly eased.
The regional breakdown of the cases as of Tuesday was:
- Calgary zone: 3,957.
- South zone: 1,094.
- Edmonton zone: 502.
- North zone: 221.
- Central zone: 89.
- Unknown: 30.
To date, 157,137 people have been tested for the novel coronavirus in Alberta.
There are currently 87 people in hospital.
What you need to know today in Canada:
The federal government announced targeted aid for the agri-food industry on Tuesday.
That comes as Canada has surpassed 60,000 confirmed and presumptive cases, spread unevenly across the country. Some provinces in Atlantic Canada have gone several days without any new cases.
Watch: Will there be a second lockdown?
Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, said no matter where they are, all Canadians will need to reconcile living with COVID-19. That means continued physical distancing, frequent handwashing, covering coughs with elbows and isolating at the "slightest sign of symptoms."
As of 7:30 a.m. ET, Canada had 60,772 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19. Provinces and territories listed 26,030 of those as either recovered or resolved.
A CBC News tally based on provincial data, regional health information and CBC's reporting puts the COVID-19-related death toll in Canada at 3,981, plus two known deaths of Canadians abroad.
Self-assessment and supports:
Alberta Health Services has an online self-assessment tool that you can use to determine if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
The province says Albertans who have returned to Canada from other countries must self-isolate. Unless your situation is critical and requires a call to 911, Albertans are advised to call Health Link at 811 before visiting a physician, hospital or other health-care facility.
If you have symptoms, even mild, you are to self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
Watch: Is airborne transmission possible?
The province also operates a confidential mental health support line at 1-877-303-2642 and addiction help line at 1-866-332-2322, available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Online resources are available for advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.
There is a 24-hour family violence information line at 310-1818 to get anonymous help in more than 170 languages, and Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.