Premier Jason Kenney has tested negative for COVID-19 but will continue to isolate for 14 days.
The Premier issued a statement on Oct. 21 saying he feels healthy and is not exhibiting symptoms.
“Our public health guidelines require that those who have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19 self-isolate for 14 days following the time of exposure. As a result, I will remain in self-isolation until the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 29. During that time I will continue to work from home.”
— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) October 22, 2020
The Premier entered into isolation after learning that Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard was infected with the virus.
“Minister Allard has been isolating since receiving that notice on the weekend,” Harrison Fleming, Deputy Press Secretary for the premier, said in a statement.
Allard received her positive test result on the afternoon of Oct. 21 and Kenney immediately went into isolation as a precaution.
Shortly before that, Kenney was speaking in the legislature during question period.
Transportation Minister Ric McIver, along with three MLAs are also self-isolating because of their contact with Allard last week.
Kenney, Allard, McIver and Angela Pitt along with Airdrie mayor Peter Brown and others were together at a transportation announcement last week.
Those in attendance were keeping their distance but none had masks on as the event was held outside.
Mayor Brown has also since announced he is getting tested and going into self-isolation.
Kenney spoke via phone announcing a pilot program for rapid testing at the Calgary Airport and a U.S. border crossing.
READ MORE: New COVID-19 testing program for international travellers arriving in Alberta
He said those who volunteer and test negative may not quarantine for the mandated 14 days.
Alberta update
Alberta reported five new cases and one recovery of COVID-19 in the RMWB in the last 24 hours.
Inside the urban service area, there are three new cases for 30 active cases, one death, and 294 recovered cases of the illness.
The remaining two new cases are outside the urban service area, which has five active cases and 64 resolved cases.
Alberta Health Services confirmed two positive tests in Fort Chipewyan.
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation said the hamlet received confirmation of its first active cases on Oct. 21, 2020.
Across the region, there are 35 active cases, one death, and 358 recoveries of the illness.
Alberta topped its record for daily case count with 427 new cases.
There were no deaths in the province in the last 24 hours.
112 Albertans are in hospital with 18 in intensive care.
New:
– 427 new COVID cases in AB on 14304 (3%+)
– no new deaths, still 296
– 112 in hospital (-1), 18 in hospital (+2)
– 3519 active cases (+147)#yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab pic.twitter.com/I1hNFEyWqb— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 22, 2020
Alberta has 3519 active cases, 296 deaths, and 20,014 resolved cases of COVID-19.
Dr Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, outlined an international study discussing the infection’s long-term symptoms.
Hinshaw talks about long-term symptom.
Cites UK study with 201 low risk patients w/avg of 44.
18 needed acute hospital care for initial illness.
BUT- many had fatigue, headache, shortness of breath 4 months after their illness. #yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 22, 2020
This article includes excerpts from 660 News and The Canadian Press.
More details to come…
