The Grand Princess cruise ship passes the Golden Gate Bridge as it arrives from Hawaii in San Francisco Feb. 11, 2020. A Calgary area woman believed to have contracted novel coronavirus was aboard the ship and is now recovering at home. (Scott Strazzante/The Associated Press/San Francisco Chronicle)

By rdnewsNOW staff

COVID-19

Alberta reports first presumptive case of novel coronavirus

Mar 5, 2020 | 4:53 PM

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health has confirmed the province’s first presumptive case of novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19.

The individual is a woman in her fifties who lives in the Calgary zone. The case is travel-related and she is recovering in isolation at home with support from public health officials.

“We take this extremely seriously, and are doing all we can to minimize risk and to keep Albertans safe,” says Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “While some may be concerned, I remind Albertans that the risk is still low in our province. We are already taking the necessary precautions to prevent the infection from spreading.”

The affected individual had recently returned from travel on board a Grand Princess cruise ship in California. Officials detected the case on March 5.

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Health officials are currently identifying close contacts of this individual. They will also be asked to self-isolate at home, away from the public, and will be closely monitored by public health officials. If they do develop symptoms, health officials will coordinate getting them into care immediately while ensuring that the public and health-care workers are not exposed.

Health officials are asking anyone who has returned from a Grand Princess Cruise to Alberta in the last two weeks to self-isolate until 14 days have passed since their visit.