Update: COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta (June 1 at 6:15 p.m.)

The Voice of Canada News:

Hospitalization rates remain low with 53 people in hospital, six of whom are in intensive care. In total, 6,501 Albertans have recovered from COVID-19. No additional deaths have been reported.

Testing is now available to all Albertans, whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not.

Latest updates

• 34 new cases bring the number of total active cases to 400.
• Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
  • Calgary zone: 309 active cases and 4,483 recovered
  • South zone: 28 active cases and 1,202 recovered
  • Edmonton zone: 44 active cases and 497 recovered
  • North zone: 17 active cases and 213 recovered
  • Central zone: zero active cases and 97 recovered
  • Two active cases and nine recovered cases in zones to be confirmed
  • Additional information, including case totals, is online.
• To date, 666 cases have an unknown exposure.
• So far, 237,747 Albertans have been tested and labs have performed 263,074 tests, with 2,709 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
• Deaths total 143: 104 in the Calgary zone; 16 in the North zone; 13 in the Edmonton zone; nine in the South zone; and one in the Central zone.
• There are 59 active cases and 662 recovered cases at continuing care facilities; 109 facility residents have died.

Testing expanded

• Testing is now available to any person who wants to be tested.
• Expanded testing will provide data to help trace the spread of the virus so public health officials can identify steps to limit the spread and determine how well public health measures are working. This evidence informs planning for the next stage of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy.
• For more information, visit https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-testing-in-alberta.aspx

Non-medical masks available soon

• Starting in early June, Albertans can get four free non-medical masks per person at all A&W, McDonald’s Canada and Tim Hortons drive-thru locations in Alberta, while supplies last. No purchase is necessary.
• Masks are not yet available for pickup. Albertans will be informed when they become available.
• Alternative arrangements are being made for communities that don’t have easy access to a drive-thru location.
• More details are available online.

Supporting Alberta businesses through relaunch

• Stage one of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy is underway. The first stage of relaunch is fully active in Calgary and Brooks today, with day camps and places of worship resuming services (within guidelines).

• The Alberta Biz Connect web page has health and safety guidelines for general workplaces, and sector-specific guidelines for those able to open in stage one of relaunch. Businesses are encouraged to check the page for new and updated guidance documents.
• Businesses and locations can access a template on that web page to help them plan how to protect employees and patrons from infection.
• Completion of this template is voluntary.

Next updates

• The next media availability with the chief medical officer of health will be held on June 3.
• Situation reports continue to be distributed daily.

Albertans downloading tracer app

• The ABTraceTogether app enhances current manual contact tracing and capacity, and facilitates early detection to help reduce the spread of the virus and better protect Albertans. It means Albertans will be contacted more quickly if they are at risk.
• Use of the app is voluntary; users must opt in.
• The app does not track the user’s physical location and does not use GPS. Protecting privacy is paramount; all contact data is only on the user’s phone and is deleted after 21 days.  
• Secure contact tracing is a cornerstone of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy. More information on the app, including links to download it, can be found online.
• The app currently has 196,852 registered users.

Mental health supports

• Confidential supports are available to help with mental health concerns. The Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 and the Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Canadian Mental Health Association has resources at mentalhealthweek.ca.
• The Kids Help Phone is available 24-7 and offers professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people by texting CONNECT to 686868.
• Online resources provide advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.

Family violence prevention

• A 24-hour Family Violence Information Line is available at 310-1818 to get anonymous help in more than 170 languages.
• Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• The requirement that people fleeing family violence apply in-person for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) is temporarily suspended; provincial courts can now hear applications for EPOs via telecommunication.
• Information sheets and other resources on family violence prevention are available at alberta.ca/COVID19.

Quick facts

• The most important measure Albertans can take to prevent respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, is to practise good hygiene.
  • This includes washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your face, coughing or sneezing into your elbow or sleeve, and disposing of tissues appropriately.
• Albertans are asked to share acts of kindness they have experienced in their community during this difficult time by using the hashtag #AlbertaCares.
• The Alberta Connects Contact Centre (310-4455) is available to Albertans Monday to Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.