ALBERTA – The province has reported the first positive case of COVID-19 in a correctional facility.
At a press conference Friday (May 8), Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported a COVID-19 case had been identified at the Calgary Remand Centre. The inmate was newly admitted to the facility and exposed before their arrival.
“[This] is a story about how all precautions were taken," Hinshaw said.
When they arrived at the centre, the individual was admitted directly to the quarantine unit and at the time did not report any symptoms. They were quarantined with a cellmate with no symptoms who was admitted at the same time.
When the inmate reported feeling unwell the following evening, both inmates were placed in isolation immediately and the sick individual was tested for the virus.
Hinshaw said all inmates are assessed for COVID-19 exposure and symptoms when they arrive at facilities, or transferred from another centre. Inmates that develop symptoms are moved to isolation.
Corrections is working with Alberta Health Services to ensure effective protocols to prevent the spread of the virus are in place.
The positive case at the Remand Centre was one of 81 new cases confirmed in the province in the last 24-hours.
Hinshaw said there are 1,963 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 4,020 people have recovered from the virus.
A woman in her 80s in a continuing care facility in the Calgary zone has died, bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 115.
Within the Bow Valley, including the MD of Bighorn, Banff and Canmore, there have been 21 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with all but one recovered.
Hinshaw noted the number of COVID-19 hospital and intensive care unit admissions will be critical to watch as the province prepares for an economic relaunch.
There are currently 80 people hospitalized, with 17 admitted to intensive care units in Alberta.
“It is encouraging to see these numbers coming down from last week because it means fewer people are experiencing severe outcomes from this virus. It means our health system has the capacity to handle potential additional COVID-19 cases if needed,” Hinshaw said.
“We must remain vigilant as we move towards phase one of Alberta’s economic relaunch strategy. The next stages of our relaunch plan will depend on our collective ability to keep infection rates low as we begin to relax public health measures.”
As the weather warms up and Albertans begin participating in more outdoor activities, Hinshaw said it remains critical to be mindful of the health of ourselves and others. Social distancing will be essential and restrictions still apply to mass gatherings, groups of 15 or more people.
Albertans can now golf, use the driving range and visit outdoors gun ranges. Online camping reservations start May 14, with camping beginning on June 1 with restrictions. Private and municipal campgrounds may open as early as May 14, as long as public health measures are followed.
Hinshaw added daycares in the province could be open as soon as May 14. Public Health is working with Children’s Services to help guide this process to ensure measures are taken to keep children and staff as safe as possible.
Hinshaw encouraged Albertans to download the ABTraceTogether app to aid in the process of COVID-19 contact tracing as the economy is reopened and people begin to move more.
Hinshaw said the app will aid in effective tracing to help prevent the spread of the virus and ensure a successful relaunch.
“If we cannot rely on that information, contact tracing will take longer, the virus may spread further and we may have to consider pulling back on our relaunch steps and putting restrictions back in place if the virus spreads at a high rate,” Hinshaw said.
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