Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw giving her update via video. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

First COVID-19 case in AHS South Zone confirmed

Mar 16, 2020 | 5:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The provincial government has announced 18 additional cases of COVID-19 in Alberta.

This brings the new total to 74.

For the first time, there is now one case in the Alberta Health Service (AHS) South Zone. The South Zone includes most areas south of Calgary but it is not specified where exactly this patient is from.

Elsewhere, there are 52 cases in the Calgary zone, 18 n the Edmonton zone, two in the Central zone, and one in the North zone, meaning COVID-19 now impacts all Albertan regions.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw gave Monday’s update via video as she announced earlier in the day that she has been tested for the virus and is in self-isolation.

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Dr. Hinshaw says he has minor symptoms consistent with a common cold likely due to the long hours she has been working in recent weeks.

“Her symptoms do not appear to be consistent with COVID-19,” a statement from the province says, “However, as Dr. Hinshaw plays an essential role in Alberta’s response to COVID-19, she has been tested.”

One case in the Edmonton zone and one in the Calgary zone were confirmed to be the result of community transmission. These were announced Sunday.

Access to justice services

Family, professional and volunteer visits to all Alberta provincial correctional facilities and young offender centres are suspended until further notice. If defence counsel requires an in-person meeting, they must contact the appropriate centre director. If families have questions about their loved ones, they should contact the centre director.

Current jury trials are proceeding; jurors are required to report to court. Any counsel or juror showing symptoms should contact the court to seek instructions from the presiding judge. Those who received a summons to attend jury selection between March 16 and May 31 are released and do not need to attend.

Legal Aid Alberta intake services at the Edmonton and Calgary courthouses are closed until further notice. To apply for Legal Aid services, call the Client Contact Centre at 1-866-845-3425, Monday to Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Traffic First-Appearance Centres are closed until further notice. Albertans can visit www.albertacourts.ca/pc/resources/pay-fines to pay traffic tickets.

Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench information: www.albertacourts.ca/qb/resources/announcements/covid-19-suspension-of-sittings.

Provincial Court of Alberta information: https://www.albertacourts.ca/pc/home.

Alberta law libraries information: https://lawlibrary.ab.ca/

Child care

All licensed child care, out-of-school care programs and preschool programs in Alberta are closed indefinitely. Approved day homes are exempt because they care for fewer than seven children at a time, including their own. Whether child care is being provided by day homes or by friends and family, enhanced sanitation practices are encouraged. This includes ensuring handwashing facilities or hand sanitizer are available and children and visitors are encouraged to wash their hands frequently.

­Information for travellers

Travel outside of the country is not being recommended at this time. Given the rapid global spread of the virus, it is no longer possible to assess health risks for the duration of the trip.

Any traveller returning from outside of the country should self-isolate for 14 days, even if they are feeling well, and monitor for symptoms.

Any traveller who has returned before March 12 should closely monitor themselves for symptoms. If they experience symptoms, they should self-isolate immediately and call Health Link 811 for follow-up assessment and testing.

The Alberta government is working with Travel Alberta on a strategy to inform Canadians returning from the United States and Mexico about the need to self-isolate, and how to access medical care, if needed.

COVID-19-related information will be available for returning passengers at the international airports in both Edmonton and Calgary; tables with information sheets will be set up in the arrivals areas.