EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – There are now seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, after an update from the chief medical officer of health.
READ MORE: COVID-19 AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
All of them are recovering at home in isolation supported by public health officials.
One of the latest cases is from the Edmonton zone, while the other two are from the Calgary zone.
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“These cases were detected thanks to the aggressive public health measures and expanded testing that we have put in place,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health.
“By acting quickly to isolate close contacts of COVID-19 cases, we help prevent the virus’s spread and protect Albertans. While additional cases will likely be detected in the coming days, Albertans can trust that we are doing everything we can to protect their health.”
The fifth case is a woman in her 70s in the Edmonton zone. She was in close contact with an Edmonton man with COVID-19. His case was announced on Sunday. She was on board the Grand Princess Cruise and had symptoms appear after returning to Alberta.
BACKGROUND: Three new presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Alberta
The sixth and seventh cases affected people in the Calgary zone.
An update on COVID-19 in Alberta, chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
Three new cases, one woman in her 70s in the #yeg zone linked to a cruise. Another man in his 30s in #yyc who had travelled to Ukraine. #abpoli #ableg pic.twitter.com/ycEM4g0Ynw
— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) March 9, 2020
A man in his 30s had travelled to Ukraine, Netherlands and Turkey and returned to the province March 2. His symptoms began after he returned to Alberta.
A woman in her 50s is also confirmed to have COVID-19. She was on-board the MS Braemar cruise ship from Feb. 11 – Mar. 4. She was tested on Sunday after developing symptoms on her return home.
People with close contact to the impacted people were contacts and being asked to self-isolate for two weeks.
Testing for these cases also no longer required confirmation from the national lab in Winnipeg and were confirmed on Monday.
The province asked anyone displaying symptoms, like a fever or cough, to call 811 and self-isolate.
World wide the risk is rising, we need to be aware and protect each other. Stay home when sick, cover your mouth when you cough and give up the handshakes. #yeg #abpoli #ableg pic.twitter.com/wXcrwInR4h
— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) March 9, 2020
The province also asked anyone who is feeling ill to not visit hospitals, long-term care facilities or supportive living accommodations.
-with files from The Canadian Press
