Chief Medical Officer of Health in Alberta, Dr. Deena Hinshaw (Photo: Chris Schwarz / Government of Alberta)

By Canadian Press

Hinshaw Responds

Hinshaw apologizes for causing ‘confusion, fear or anger’ over COVID policy changes

Aug 4, 2021 | 1:17 PM

CALGARY – Alberta’s top doctor is apologizing for causing “confusion, fear or anger” after communicating the province’s plan to eliminate remaining public health measures.

In a column sent to various media outlets, Dr. Deena Hinshaw says her words have caused some people to think she believes COVID-19 is over.

Hinshaw says that was not her intended message.

She says lifting isolation requirements, asymptomatic testing and eliminating contact tracing will support the whole health of Albertans, by allowing the province to focus on other health threats, such as opioid deaths and syphilis.

She says isolation measures were incredibly disruptive and are no longer necessary with vaccine protection.

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Hinshaw also notes the threat to children’s health, especially those under 12 who are not eligible to get vaccinated, is low and should be considered among a range of other risks.

(The Canadian Press)