What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Monday, June 8
Albertans have access to free masks through fast-food franchises and other sources starting Monday
The latest:
- Three more people have died of COVID-19 and 64 new cases have been reported.
- Albertans can now obtain free masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by using A&W, McDonald's, or Tim Hortons drive-thrus as well as other sources for those who don't live close to the fast-food franchises.
- Edmonton Oilers will begin small group practices.
- First Nations appeal environmental monitoring suspension.
- Pandemic lawsuits may tie up courts for years.
- Albertans protest police brutality in masks.
- Calgary's mayor says the city must keep building during economic struggles.
What you need to know today in Alberta:
Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said Monday that three more people have died of COVID-19 and 64 new cases have been reported. Alberta did not provide updated case numbers on Sunday, so those numbers are for the last two days.
Just seven new cases were reported on Friday, the lowest total since March 12. But on Saturday, that number jumped to 40 new cases.
The number of active cases in Edmonton have more than doubled in the past week, after a number of people contracted the illness at two social events.
Most of the province moved to the first phase of the provincial relaunch plan on May 14, while Calgary and Brooks caught up June 1 including by allowing bars, restaurants, hair salons and barbershops to open within guidelines.
There are 355 active cases in Alberta, with 44 people in hospital, including six in ICU beds.
An announcement is expected this week about Stage 2 of the province's relaunch strategy.
As well on Monday, the Alberta health minister announced that new billing codes for virtual patient visits with doctors will become permanent.
The Edmonton Oilers have opened Rogers Place for on- and off-ice practices in small groups. The practices will be closed to media.
A litigation lawyer is warning pandemic-related lawsuits could tie up courts for years. People may seek retribution through the courts over experiences with continuing care homes, post-secondary institutions, meat plants and ticket sales, among other things.
First Nations are appealing the Alberta Energy Regulator's decision to suspend environmental monitoring requirements for oil companies during the pandemic.
Calgarians took to the streets on the weekend to protest police brutality and systemic racism in Canada. Many wore masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as organizers urged people to main physical distancing, as well.
The regional breakdown of cases on Monday afternoon was:
- Calgary zone: 210 active cases, 4,656 recovered.
- South zone: 21 active cases, 1,238 recovered.
- Edmonton zone: 106 active cases, 494 recovered.
- North zone: 17 active cases, 212 recovered.
- Central zone: 0 active cases, 86 recovered.
- Unknown: 1 active, 12 recovered.
What you need to know today in Canada:
Families separated by Canada's COVID-19 border closure will soon be reunited, officials said Monday. The federal government will allow immediate family members of citizens and permanent residents to cross into Canada. They will have to self-quarantine for 14 days, however.
A group of migrant workers is calling on the federal government to act to prevent exploitation, abuse and health hazards. Two men have died from COVID-19 and hundreds of others have caught the virus. The group says it continues to hear complaints of dangerous work and housing conditions.
Travel advisories in small B.C. towns continue to cause tensions with Alberta visitors. B.C. officials have asked people not to travel in the province unless it's essential. Meanwhile, one-third of B.C. students have returned to class.
Check out this inside look of how COVID-19 is changing hospitals and the experience for patients, families and caregivers.
Communities across Canada are rapidly installing bike lanes as ridership spikes amid the pandemic.
Self-assessment and supports:
Alberta Health Services has an online self-assessment tool that you can use to determine if you have symptoms of COVID-19, but testing is open to anyone, even without symptoms.
The province says Albertans who have returned to Canada from other countries must self-isolate. Unless your situation is critical and requires a call to 911, Albertans are advised to call Health Link at 811 before visiting a physician, hospital or other health-care facility.
- Watch: Clearer answers about hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19 emerging.
If you have symptoms, even mild, you are to self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
You can find Alberta Health Services' latest coronavirus updates here.
The province also operates a confidential mental health support line at 1-877-303-2642 and addiction help line at 1-866-332-2322, available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Online resources are available for advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.
There is a 24-hour family violence information line at 310-1818 to get anonymous help in more than 170 languages, and Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.