By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

79 new cases

Two new cases of COVID-19 in Red Deer as provincial total jumps

Mar 28, 2020 | 5:42 PM

Another 79 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Alberta since Friday, bringing the provincial total to 621. The increase marks the biggest single-day jump in Alberta since the pandemic began.

There have been 38 hospitalizations, and 12 people admitted to intensive care units.

The province says as many as 54 of the 621 cases may be due to community transmission.

On a positive note, there are now 53 recovered cases, compared to 33 yesterday.

In Central Zone there are a total of 48 cases, five more than a day ago. That includes two new cases in Red Deer, where there are 14 cases on the city’s east side. There remain four in the southwest quadrant, and one in the north, bringing the local total to 19.

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One new case was reported in the Tofield/Hwy 21 area, that jurisdiction’s first, and two new cases are being reported in Wetaskiwin County, bringing that area’s total to eight.

Central Zone numbers (as of March 28):

City of Red Deer: 19 (2 new)
Wetaskiwin County: 8 (2 new)
Red Deer County: 7
Lacombe: 2
Olds: 2
Vermilion River County: 2
Camrose & County: 2
Three Hills/Hwy 21: 1 (new)
Ponoka: 1
Tofield: 1
Innisfail: 1
Stettler & County: 1
Vegreville/Minburn County: 1

Calgary now has 378 cases, Edmonton has 139, North Zone has 43, and South Zone has 12. One case’s zone is yet to be confirmed.

To date, 20 cases have been identified in staff and residents of continuing care facilities, including 15 in McKenzie Towne Long Term Care, one case in Rosedale on the Park and four at Shepherd’s Care Kensington Village (unchanged from yesterday).

There remain two deaths, which were previously reported.

Recruiting physicians

In a release, the province says the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has developed an online tool for Alberta physicians to self-report their ability to be redeployed to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the College has identified doctors who can provide additional services, AHS will help with recruitment and ensure the doctors are deployed to the areas of greatest need where they will have the most impact.

Diagnostic imaging

The province also says, effective immediately, AHS is postponing some diagnostic imaging procedures as part of the effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Whether imaging is urgent will be determined by the ordering physician, the release says.

To free up more laboratory space for COVID-19 testing, physicians and community providers are being asked to immediately stop all non-essential and routine laboratory testing.

Flexibility for municipal governments

Meantime, the provincial government has added a new COVID-19 containment measure under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) called the COVID-19 Suppression Regulation. This gives local governments flexibility in doing business during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the option to hold meetings while still observing physical distancing. Municipal Affairs has extended a number of reporting timelines under the MGA, giving municipalities the time and ability to deliver on the needs of their residents and meet the requirements set out by the act.

Mental health supports

Albertans can also access mental health supports during COVID-19 by calling the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 or the Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2323 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily.

You can also text COVID19HOPE to 393939 for daily uplifting and helpful text messages from Alberta Health Services.

For more on other measures being put in place while the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, visit Alberta.ca.