Since COVID-19 cases started to be reported in Alberta, the day-to-day numbers of new cases decreased for the first time today (March 21).  

Don't try to read too much into that, says Alberta Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Marcia Johnson who was filling in today for Dr. Deena Hinshaw who is taking the weekend off to spend time with her family.

"Since yesterday, in Alberta, we've had 31 new cases of COVID-19," says Johnson.  "This means that 226 cases have now been identified in our province.  We suspect up to 16 of these cases may be due to community transmission."

11 of the cases are in hospital, six of them in ICUs, including one of the additional cases reported today.  Johnson didn't have an updated figure on the number of people who have recovered, which yesterday stood at three.  Alberta has not had any additional deaths from the coronavirus, with one person dying in the Edmonton Zone.

Although the Calgary Zone of AHS, that includes the City of Airdrie, has had by far the most cases with 139 reported, there are still no cases in Airdrie.

Although 31 new cases seems like a significant decrease from the 49 new cases that were reported yesterday, Dr. Johnson says it's far too early to start believing that COVID-19 cases in the province are declining. 

When she was asked that by a reporter her reply was, "We sure hope so but I must say it is too soon to make that conclusion on one day's information.  The whole aim of all the social distancing restrictions we've put in is to decrease the number of people getting ill and to decrease the speed at which they're getting ill.  So if this is an indication, and I'm not saying it is, it's only one data point but if it is an indication, that'd be great, that's what we're working for.  It's too soon to make that conclusion at this point."

Today Dr. Johnson warned about cybersecurity incidents involving malware and fraudulent activities, including identity theft, which are being reported across Alberta in the wake of COVID-19. Anyone who receives a call asking for credit card information should hang up immediately and call the non-emergency line for local law enforcement.

Albertans are encouraged to continue to exercise caution when clicking on links or providing personal information to people and organizations requesting that information unsolicited.

COVID-19 Info for Albertans

 

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