What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Tuesday, April 7
Province will release its pandemic modelling on Tuesday night
The latest:
- Alberta confirmed 25 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the province's total to 1,373. Two more people have died, bringing the province's total deaths to 26.
- All visitors are now banned from nursing homes and group homes in Alberta.
- Edmonton needs to swiftly cut spending in wake of pandemic, says Mayor Don Iveson
- Premier Jason Kenney says unemployment in Alberta could reach 25 per cent.
- The government has announced more legislative tweaks to refine how the province and municipalities can respond to the pandemic.
- One month into pandemic, the province will release its COVID-19 modelling on Tuesday night.
- Calgary council voted to hike taxes on homeowners to help businesses, but with the option to defer payment.
What you need to know today in Alberta:
The province is expanding its range of people eligible for testing beyond those at greatest risk and health-care workers to include those who work in group homes and shelters, first responders and correctional staff.
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That comes as the province prepares to release its pandemic modelling, which will show best- and worst-case scenarios and offer Albertans a glimpse at the data driving government decisions.
Kenney said Monday that the government was working to procure non-medical masks for the general public as part of efforts to flatten the curve.
On the economic front, Kenney warned unemployment in the province could hit 25 per cent. That would be the highest unemployment rate in any Canadian province since modern records began.
The regional breakdown of cases in Alberta as of Tuesday afternoon is:
- Calgary zone: 835.
- Edmonton zone: 358.
- North zone: 90.
- Central zone: 66.
- South zone: 22.
- Unknown: 2.
So far, 447 people in Alberta have recovered from the illness.
What you need to know today in Canada:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada is working to produce up to 30,000 ventilators domestically in order to deal with a possible surge in demand. The Public Health Agency of Canada says there are about 5,000 ventilators spread across the country.
Meanwhile, almost one million Canadians applied for emergency COVID-19 benefits on the first day of applications.
As of 9:30 a.m. ET Tuesday, Canada had reported a total of 16,667 COVID-19 cases. The provinces and territories that provide information on recovered cases listed 3,629 cases as resolved.
CBC News has recorded 360 COVID-19-related deaths in Canada, and two coronavirus-linked deaths of Canadians abroad.
WATCH | Dr. Tam says wearing non-medical masks may help fight COVID-19:
Public health officials caution that the numbers don't tell the full story, as they don't capture information on people who haven't been tested or cases that are still under investigation.
Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer for Canada, has urged people to behave as though COVID-19 is in their community, even if there are no documented cases.
Self-assessment:
Alberta Health Services has an online self-assessment tool that you can use to determine if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
WATCH | How one person can spread COVID-19:
The province says Albertans who have returned to Canada after March 12 must self-isolate for 14 days. 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.
You can find Alberta Health Services' latest coronavirus updates here.