By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

259 cases

Red Deer has two new cases of COVID-19, and three total

Mar 22, 2020 | 4:20 PM

Red Deer now has three confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to provincial data released Sunday afternoon.

Two of those three were confirmed on Sunday, and make up part of 33 new cases provincially.

The two new cases in Red Deer are in the southwest and east areas of the city. A previously confirmed case also originated in the southwest part of town.

The province confirms to rdnewsNOW that two of the three Red Deer cases are still under investigation, while one is confirmed to be travel-related. The lone case in Red Deer County is also travel-related.

“We’re certainly very sorry to hear that the city has two new cases,” says Bart Rowland, Emergency Operations Centre Director.

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“We are championing social distancing. I haven’t witnessed it myself where people aren’t doing it, but people should know that preventing the spread of the virus is the number one goal and social distancing is certainly one tool that is easy to use. It should be done by everyone in the city.”

Meantime, a third confirmed case in Central Zone on Sunday is in Olds.

This brings Central Zone’s total to 10; City of Red Deer (3), Vermilion River County (2), Vegreville, Wetaskiwin County, Camrose & County, Olds, Red Deer County (1 each).

Alberta now has a total of 259 cases.

Of all cases, 18 are hospitalized, and no new deaths have been reported. Seven have been admitted to the ICU.

The number of confirmed recovered cases remains at three.

Seniors facilities visitation limits

The Government of Alberta says, “Seniors facilities are receiving social isolation and distancing information, and stronger restrictions are being put in place for visitors to long-term and seniors care facilities. Essential visitors will be restricted to a single individual who can be family, a friend, or a paid companion who provides care and companionship necessary for the well-being of the resident (physical and mental health) and/or a single designated visitor for a person who is dying, as long as only one visitor enters the facility at a time. Every visitor will undergo a health screening.”

Offers of help

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency Unsolicited Offers Program is now set up in response to growing offers of generosity, the province adds.

Those wanting to help can go to alberta.ca/COVID19offersprogram for more information.

General information for citizens

As of March 23, the Alberta Connects Contact Centre will be available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Albertans can call toll-free from anywhere in the province by dialling 310-4455 for general information about the Government of Alberta and its response to COVID-19, or for help contacting individual program areas.

This line cannot provide medical advice. Anyone who has health concerns or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should complete an online COVID-19 self-assessment.

Info for travellers

Travel outside the country is strongly discouraged. Given the rapid global spread of the virus, it is no longer possible to assess health risks for the duration of the trip.

Any traveller returning from outside of the country should self-isolate for 14 days, even if they are feeling well, and monitor for symptoms.

Any traveller who has returned before March 12 should closely monitor themselves for symptoms. If they experience symptoms, they should self-isolate immediately and call Health Link 811 for follow-up assessment and testing.

The Alberta government and Travel Alberta have launched a campaign to inform Canadians travelling in the United States and Mexico about the importance of returning home.

COVID-19 related information has been provided for departing and returning passengers at the international airports in both Edmonton and Calgary. This information has also been shared with all airports in Alberta and several airlines.

More information is at Alberta.ca/covid19