Kenney says Alberta COVID-19 infections could total 800,000 to one million, deaths between 400 and 6,600

As of Tuesday, Alberta had 1,373 cases and 26 deaths.

“I know that these numbers can be overwhelming. But these models are not a done deal,” said Kenney. “I want Albertans to see them as a challenge. Perhaps the greatest challenge of our generation.”

Kenney said the modelling scenarios are not inevitable and that how the COVID-19 pandemic plays out in Alberta is up to Albertans and the choices they make when it comes to following the countermeasures recommended by public health officials.

Those countermeasures – proper hand hygiene, physical distancing, staying home when you can and more – work, said Kenney.

“Our experts project that if we had no social distancing and public health orders in place, we could experience as many as 1.6 million infections, and 32,000 deaths in Alberta – as many as 640 deaths per day. Our health system would collapse under the chaos of that scenario,” he said.

Pushing down the peak of infections is key to keeping the health-care system operating to help those that are infected, said Kenney, who thanked health-care workers for their efforts so far.

“Tomorrow I will provide more details. But for now, let me say: we are confident that our health system will be able to cope, and that we have the supplies on hand to get the job done,” saying an extra $500 million has been given to AHS for the COVID-19 fight. “We will spare no expense to prevent the spread, while providing the best possible care to those who need it.”

Once the pandemic passes, the focus must turn to the economic recovery of the province.

Small business owners are concerned about never opening their doors again, and families are struggling to pay bills.

As intertwined as the pandemic and the economy are, it’s not a one or the other situation, Kenney said. Current public health orders may in place until at least the end of April and the models suggest the province won’t be able to start relaxing social distancing measures until the end of May.

“As hard as this will be, it is the only ethical choice when thousands of lives are still at stake,” Kenney said.

The provincial Relaunch Strategy is being developed and will be implemented once the peak of infections has passed and the public health guidelines can be relaxed.

The Relaunch Strategy includes an aggressive system of mass testing, more precise tracing of close contacts, strong border screening, strict enforcement of quarantine orders, and encouraging and facilitating the use of masks in crowds.

Kenney said the province expects a global economic recovery from COVID-19 later this year.

“But the crash in energy prices means that Alberta’s downturn will be deeper, and our recovery slower,” he said, adding Western Canadian oil has fallen as low as $3 per barrel and could hit negative prices. “I cannot overstate how grave the implications of this will be for jobs, the economy, and the financial security of Albertans.”

Referencing a price war led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, Kenney said Alberta has made moves to stabilize Alberta’s energy future. These moves include a coordinated defence of North American energy, the investment to start construction on Keystone XL, and the appointment of an Economic Recovery Council.

Kenney said Alberta’s budget deficit this year could rise from $7 billion to almost $20 billion.

Kenney ended with a message of hope, along with praise for those who have stepped up to help.

“We have strong institutions, and a culture of resilience. Most importantly, we have each other,” he said. “We will get through this storm, together.”

by Chris Brown

Kenney says Alberta COVID-19 infections could total 800,000 to one million, deaths between 400 and 6,600

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