First COVID-19 death in Alberta confirmed

EDMONTON, AB – The province has it’s first confirmed death related to COVID-19. A man in his 60’s, who suffered from underlying conditions, had died in the Edmonton Zone. This patient was a case of community transmission, as the man had not travelled.

Two remaining cases are receiving care in Intensive Care.

In the daily update from Alberta Health Services, Dr. Deena Hinshaw confirmed there have been 27 new COVID cases, which takes the provincial total to 146.

Of the listed total, most of the cases, 101, are in the Calgary Health Zone. The Edmonton Health Zone is reporting 29, there are three cases in the Central Zone, and ten in the North Zone. The South Zone is now reporting three confirmed cases, an adult male in Medicine Hat, and adult woman in Lethbridge and a teenage girl in the County of Taber.

It’s believed eight of the total cases resulted from “Community Transmission”, related to a dental conference in Vancouver. While seven of the cases are confirmed, they’re waiting for details on the eighth.

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Hinshaw urges everyone to take social distancing and self isolation seriously. She noted concerns about compliance with public health orders on self-isolation and business closures. She says there is one important thing residents should Not do.

“If you have concerns about an establishment, Please – do NOT call 911 – we must leave this line open for true emergencies. We are working with the Justice and Solicitor General, to develop a process for responding to these concerns, and we will provide an update when we reach a solution.”

For now, Hinshaw said individuals should be, “encouraged to do the right thing.” She underscored the virus is very dangerous, as evidenced by the number of deaths.

When asked to how many fatalities could be expected, Hinshaw said that all depends Albertans and their efforts to continue hand-washing and social distancing.