Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

With Stage 1 of relaunch in effect, Dr. Hinshaw urges caution & patience

May 14, 2020 | 4:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Parts of Alberta’s economy opened up once again Thursday, but the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health says we are not simply back to the status quo.

Stage 1 of the Economic Relaunch Strategy saw retail businesses, museums and galleries, and daycares resume operations across Alberta. For all areas except for Brooks and Calgary, this also includes hair stylists, restaurants at 50 per cent capacity, day camps, and places of worship with limited capacity.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says, while these businesses have opened up again, we have to continue to adjust to the “new normal.”

“This relaunch will require patience from all of us and continued practice of public health measures so we can continue with our relaunch plans as quickly as possible.”

She adds that, although retail stores can reopen, as one example, business owners should not feel compelled to do so if they or their employees are not comfortable.

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There will be a requirement that companies show that they have plans in place to keep people safe.

“We are requiring anyone who is reopening to identify what they are doing at their site to reduce the risk of transmission. Within seven days of opening, businesses must fill out a short template that can be found online at the Biz Connect site and post it at their place or business or online.”

The 15-person gathering rule continues to apply, but exceptions can be made for instances where there is a person or organization that is accountable for ensuring public health measures are implemented and followed.

Premier Jason Kenney commented Wednesday that Stage 2 will not happen before June 19, although that largely depends on how well Stage 1 goes. If people or businesses are not following guidelines, that date can be pushed back.

More details on which businesses are included in Stages 2 and 3 can be found here.

Dr. Hinshaw also provided the daily update for COVID-19 for Thursday, May 14.

50 new infections were confirmed, bringing the provincial total to 6,457. Of those, 5,205 people have made full recoveries.

One more person has died as a result of the virus, this time in a continuing care centre in the Calgary Health Zone, meaning COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 121 Albertans to date.

The breakdown by regional health zone is as follows:

• Calgary zone – 4,414 cases, 915 active
  • 85 deaths (one new)
  • 49 in hospital, eight in ICU
  • 84,068 tests
• South zone – 1,174 cases, 113 active
  • Eight deaths
  • Six in hospital
  • 15,348 tests
• Edmonton zone – 516 cases, 63 active
  • 12 deaths
  • Seven in hospital, two in ICU
  • 53,258 tests
• North zone – 228 cases, 20 active
  • 15 deaths
  • Three in hospital
  • 14,244 tests
• Central zone – 97 cases, 11 active
  • One death
  • 15,247 tests

The breakdown for the South Health Zone by community is as follows:

• Brooks – 1,070 cases (two new), 91 active, seven deaths
• Medicine Hat – 35 cases (one new), five active
• Lethbridge – 20 cases (one new), five active
  • South Lethbridge – 10 cases, four active
  • West Lethbridge – Seven cases, zero active
  • North Lethbridge – Three cases (one new), one active
• County of Newell – 13 cases, two active
• Cardston County – 10 cases, five active
• Cypress County – 10 cases, three active
• Fort Macleod – Four cases, two active
• Special Areas No. 2 – Two cases, zero active, one death
• M.D. of Taber – Two cases, zero active
• County of Forty Mile – Two cases, zero active
• Lethbridge County – One case, zero active