COVID watch a “wake up call” for Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman

Director of Emergency Services Luke Palmer explains that the watch means that there are more than 50 active infections per 100,000 residents.

So far, he says many of Lethbridge’s cases have come from “clusters” where the numbers quickly rise and slowly peter out. Palmer is not sure if this will continue or if the city will see more steady increases in caseloads.

“Not a whole lot changes for us. It just moves into the diligence of making sure that we’re encouraging the population to adhere to contact tracing requirements. Everyone associated with these outbreaks will be contacted by AHS, provided testing requirements, and isolation requirements as well.”

Mayor Chris Spearman says the rising numbers should be a “wake up call” for everyone.

At least for now, however, there have been no council discussions about implementing any additional restrictions.

“We went from zero [active cases] to something in the rage of 51 before the weekend and now 101. If it’s going to be doubling every few days, then we may have to look at other options, but I’m not going to say that we’re definitely going to do anything one way or another. I’ll confer with my council colleagues and rely on medical advice.”

One of Spearman’s primary concerns at this time is how many people in Lethbridge could be considered at-risk.

According to the 2019 city census, approximately 16.9 per cent of residents are aged 65 or older. While the mayor did not specify where he got this statistic from, he claims that around three per cent of the population have compromised immune systems.

Palmer told media that he has been in daily contact with Alberta Health Services regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and how public health restrictions may or may not need to change.

He doubled down on Spearman’s comments that the city will do as AHS advises, and at this time, that does not include implementing more public health restrictions.

With colder weather and flu season kicking off now, Palmer is urging the public to be extra vigilant.

“What we’re going to probably see in the winter months is a lot of people moving indoors and gathering there, so our messaging will be to continue to adhere to the public health orders that are in place.”

Some of these include maintaining two metres of physical distance when others, following the face mask bylaw, practising proper hygiene, and limiting your number of cohorts.

by David Opinko

COVID watch a “wake up call” for Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman

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