What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Tuesday, April 14
CBC News | Posted: April 14, 2020 3:33 PM | Last Updated: April 14, 2020
Alberta senators are pushing for federal oilpatch aid
The latest:
- Alberta reported 138 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the largest single-day increase yet, for a total of 1,870. Of those, 914 people, or nearly half, have recovered.
- Of those new cases, 128 were in Calgary.
- Nearly 80,000 people have been tested in the province.
- The province announced it will provide $3 million to support the nearly one million Albertans who are caregivers for loved ones.
- Two more people have died, bringing the total deaths to 48.
- There are now 214 cases, which includes 30 deaths, at the province's continuing care facilities.
- Alberta's chief medical officer of health said it will likely be months before large social gatherings can resume in the province.
- Alberta senators are pushing for federal oilpatch aid.
- The province has expanded COVID-19 testing to anyone showing symptoms.
- More daycare centres have reopened for essential workers, few of which offer $25 per day care.
- Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says province might circumvent Health Canada to access tests and drugs, raising eyebrows.
- Edmonton Fringe has been cancelled due to the pandemic.
What you need to know today in Alberta:
Edmonton has lost the Fringe, but it's still not clear whether or not Calgary will lose its Stampede, as the long-term consequences of public health orders come into focus.
Already, a number of festivals have cancelled their 2020 iterations, including Sled Island in Calgary and Edmonton's Jazz Festival.
WATCH: How Alberta stockpiled medical equipment before COVID-19 struck:
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health for the province. has cast doubt on large gatherings taking place until there is a vaccine.
In addition to festivals, large and small, facing an uncertain future, the oilpatch is wondering about its future, and Alberta senators are pushing the government for an aid package specifically for the industry.
Meanwhile, Kenney said on the weekend that he might bypass the federal health regulator in an attempt to bring in tests and drugs to fight the pandemic, but some health experts are questioning how Alberta could do that and why it would want to.
Here is the breakdown of cases among the provincial zones:
- Calgary zone: 1,242.
- Edmonton zone: 402.
- North zone: 107.
- Central zone: 74.
- South zone: 36.
- Unknown: 9.
According to Alberta government statistics, 45 of 48 deaths involved people aged 60 and older.
What you need to know today in Canada:
According to Canada's top health official, retirement homes have been at the root of half of the more than 700 deaths in Canada, and more deaths are anticipated at the homes even as the growth in overall COVID-19 cases begins to slow.
That could mean new federal regulations for long-term care homes in order to reduce the risk to residents, with suggestions that match what Alberta has already implemented.
WATCH: Finding a way to help during the pandemic:
As of 6 a.m. ET Tuesday, there were 25,680 reported cases in Canada. The provinces and territories that provide public information on resolved cases listed 7,771 cases as recovered or resolved.
A tally of deaths linked to the novel virus maintained by CBC News has 833 deaths recorded in Canada. There are two known coronavirus-related deaths of Canadians abroad — one in Japan and another in Brazil.
Public health officials have cautioned that the true case numbers are likely much higher, as the recorded figures don't capture people who have not been tested or are still under investigation.
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 to physically distance in tricky situations:
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.