What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Thursday, May 14
Restaurants and more will reopen across much of Alberta, except Calgary and Brooks
The latest:
- Alberta reported one more COVID-19 death on Thursday and 50 new cases of the disease.
- As seniors isolate, volunteer shortages spread.
- Some businesses across most of Alberta reopen today, but Calgary and Brooks will open more slowly.
- Restaurateurs in Calgary surprised by last-minute notice on delayed reopening, while retailers and others set to open today.
- The Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton will reopen on Saturday, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller will reopen on May 22.
What you need to know today in Alberta:
It's reopening day for many regions of the province, with retail stores, hair salons, museums, daycares and day camps allowed to open, with restrictions.
That's in large part due to rates of hospitalization and admissions to the ICU that were lower than forecast.
Calgary and Brooks, however, are on a different timeline due to higher case counts in the two areas. Museums, galleries and retailers can reopen, but the rest will have to wait until May 25 at the earliest.
Watch: COVID-19: What has 2 months of physical distancing accomplished?
That announcement, made with less than 24 hours' notice, left some restaurateurs in Calgary frustrated and wondering what to do with newly ordered inventory.
Alberta reported one more COVID-19 death on Thursday and 50 new cases of the disease. The death, a resident at a continuing care facility in Calgary, brings the total number of deaths to 121.
More than 5,000 people have now recovered from COVID-19.
The regional breakdown of cases on Thursday evening was:
- Calgary zone: 915 active cases, 3,414 recovered
- South zone: 113 active cases, 1,053 recovered
- Edmonton zone: 63 active cases, 441 recovered.
- North zone: 20 active cases, 193 recovered.
- Central zone: 11 active cases, 88 recovered.
- Unknown: 9 active cases, 19 recovered.
What you need to know today in Canada:
The federal government announced the gradual reopening of national parks and historic sites starting on June 1, but camping will remain off limits until at least June 21.
Watch: Why aren't masks mandatory?
In the midst of looser restrictions, some grocery chains are now requiring or asking shoppers to wear a mask while in their stores.
Meanwhile, those who take advantage of the government's emergency benefits payout won't be caught until 2021 at the earliest.
Officials say the back-end "cleanup" of potentially fraudulent benefit claims promised by federal politicians — including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — won't actually happen until next year's taxes are filed.
As of 8:45 p.m. ET on Thursday, Canada had 73,401 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases, with 36,104 of those considered recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally of COVID-19 deaths based on provincial health data, regional information and CBC's reporting stood at 5,576.
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.
Watch: The problems in long-term care that COVID-19 could change.
If you have symptoms, even mild, you are to self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
You can find Alberta Health Services' latest coronavirus updates here.
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.