Check against delivery

Thank you. Good afternoon.

Today, before I talk about our new numbers, I want to tell you that I have been receiving messages from Alberta students in the last few days.

They have asked me to pass on their thanks to my team here at the ministry, to all health care workers, and to those who continue to provide essential services across the province, including but of course not limited to bus drivers, garbage pick up workers, and grocery store workers.

Let me add my thanks to theirs to all those groups and more who continue to provide essential services across the province.

I also want to say thank you to all Albertans who, for the past month, have been experiencing increasing restrictions on abilities to work, to access recreational facilities, to spend time with friends, and many other activities that are normally part of our daily lives.

Thank you for the sacrifices you are making, and thank you for pitching in to stop the spread of COVID in our province.

We talked yesterday about our models, and we also talked about the fact that our actual numbers are currently lower than our model predicts. That is thanks to you. You are saving lives.

As a doctor for the population, I know that the medicine of physical distancing that I’m currently prescribing is a bitter pill to swallow. I assure you that I am watching our numbers closely, and working with many others to look forward to the time when we can start lifting some of these measures and making the so-called “medicine” more palatable.

In the meantime, I again say thank you for being willing to work with me and all other Albertans to keep our communities safe.

Today, I am reporting that we have identified 28 new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta in the last 24 hours.

This brings the total number of cases to 1,451.

Of these, 592 people have recovered. This is 74 more than yesterday.

We suspect 192 of our total cases may be as a result of community transmission.

We have completed 1,333 COVID tests in the last 24 hours.

We have also had an increase in people accessing our assessment centres since we expanded the testing criteria yesterday, so we anticipate that our testing numbers will increase over the coming days.

Sadly, I must report an additional 3 deaths from COVID-19.

  • A woman in her 80’s in Calgary Zone
  • A man in his 70’s in Edmonton Zone
  • And a woman in her 60’s in Calgary Zone

I want to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of these individuals.

One of these deaths was linked to a continuing care outbreak in Calgary, highlighting yet again how important it is to protect people in these facilities from being exposed. We now have 151 cases of COVID-19 in staff and residents of continuing care facilities.

Earlier this week, we tightened rules on visitors to these facilities to help protect residents from COVID-19.

I know it is difficult to no longer be able to visit loved ones who may reside in these facilities, but this measure was necessary to keep everyone safe.

I encourage Albertans to look for other ways they can still stay in touch with friends and family who may reside in these facilities.

For example, I heard about one long term care resident who just celebrated her 101st birthday, Her family made signs and brought them to show through the window of the facility, while waving and smiling to celebrate her birthday all the while staying appropriately physically distanced.

This is just one example how we can still show our loved ones how much we care for them, we just need to do it in different ways for a while.

As we head into the long weekend, I hope we can all look at what we can do individually to protect ourselves and those around us.

If you are feeling ill in any way, stay home.

Practice physical distancing whenever you’re out in public.

Continue to practice good hygiene by frequently washing your hands with soap and water.

These measures, small as they may seem, may mean the difference between life and death for someone

I have been concerned about reports that some private gyms are choosing to remain open.

This is in violation of public health orders, which are enforceable by law.

I understand physical exercise is an important activity for overall health and well-being, both physical and mental, but the risk of transmission is too great for enclosed spaces like this.

I encourage Albertans to look at other ways to exercise without jeopardizing the health of others.

We need to be mindful, now more than ever, that our actions carry consequences for all of us.

I know we have had to make many changes in order to adjust to our new normal…

And again I want to thank all of you for doing your part in helping to prevent the spread.

There are some early signs that we are making a difference.

For instance, over the last few weeks we have see a significant drop in the number of confirmed influenza cases. While we would expect to see a slow reduction at this time of year, the drop over the last two weeks has been dramatic, while testing numbers have stayed about the same.

This is a promising sign that our measures are working, but we cannot lose sight of our goal.

This weekend and the weeks ahead will be a difficult test for all of us who would normally come together to celebrate the holidays.

I know so many of you wish to gather together with family and friends to remember the way of the cross, to share a Seder meal or to break your fast after sundown during Iftar.

But we must remain vigilant. 

To protect ourselves, our family and those in our community, we must remain physically apart during these religious holidays.

For anyone planning to attend a celebration in a car this weekend, as some groups are planning drive-in services, I want to remind you that only members of the same household should be in a vehicle together.

You should not pick up people from multiple households and sit together at a drive-in service.

I also remind leaders and members of communities planning innovative services such as this that you are responsible for each other, and please be sure that no one leaves their vehicle during these times.

As the Minister mentioned, do not travel this weekend. Stay home. Stay in your community and on your property.

This virus can too easily spread from the touch of a serving spoon, a kiss to the cheek or droplets carried through the breath of someone singing, chanting or even laughing.

This year, I ask you to look at other ways you can celebrate the holidays while practicing physical distancing.

Drop off dinner leftovers at your loved ones’ front door. Have a virtual Easter Egg hunt. Video chat with friends and family as I am planning on doing this Sunday.

I also encourage ministers, priests, imams and other religious leaders to celebrate with their communities through virtual services.

But to do so responsibly and with significant care to respect the public health orders in place.

Set up a Zoom meeting where people can sing and pray together. Share pictures of your delicious meals and Easter hot cross buns through Facetime.

Remember that being isolated physically doesn’t mean that we’re alone.

Be physically distant, but virtually connected.

And should that not feel sufficient and you need someone to talk to, please reach out.

Mental health supports are available to help us get through these difficult times.

The next few weeks will continue to be challenging for all of us.

But I hope that fact doesn’t stop us from celebrating together this weekend, even if we must do so while being apart.

I would like to wish all Albertans a happy and healthy holiday weekend.

Thank you, and I will now take questions.