Alberta's COVID daily jump breaks three digits, with proposed new supports and laws on deck

While the daily COVID-19 count jumped Wednesday by more than 100 new diagnoses for the first time, the province announced new supports that will be brought into place to help. New legislation will be brought forward to help protect the economy as well as to protect the health and safety of Albertans.

Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Premier Jason Kenney confirmed 117 new cases of the novel coronavirus have been registered within the last 24 hours, bringing the provincial total to 871. There are now 19 recorded cases in St. Albert.

“I know this large jump in cases might seem alarming,” explained Dr. Deena Hinshaw, emphasizing it is the result of provincial labs completing a backlog of tests now that they are back to working at full capacity. There was a temporary shortage of an essential reagent for full testing to proceed.

More than 4,500 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, a record high during the crisis, with approximately 98 per cent returning negative, a rate which is still in line with previous days. More than 50,000 tests have now been completed in Alberta.

“I would like to again acknowledge the tremendous work of our laboratory, which continues to lead many other jurisdictions in testing per capita.”

Alberta Health Services expects it will take delivery of new COVID-19 rapid testing kits within a few days. These kits will expand the province’s capacity to test for the disease by thousands per day, Premier Kenney noted.

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That good news was tempered with the tally also rising in the number of deaths that have occurred because of the pandemic’s spread in the province. There were two deaths since yesterday: one in Calgary and one in the North Zone. A total of 11 people have died in Alberta from the illness.

“At this moment, my greatest concern is about the health and safety of those in continuing care and other congregate settings. Alberta currently has 41 cases of COVID-19 in continuing care facilities,” Dr. Hinshaw continued, noting it includes outbreaks in four locations across the province. “Alberta Health Services is working closely with each site to do everything possible to protect residents while also ensuring they continue to get the daily care and support that they need.”

Premier Jason Kenney elaborated on other supports the government is putting on the table to extend childcare spaces for all essential workers including grocery store clerks, taxi drivers, and hospitality staff.

“Tens of thousands of Albertans are continuing to go to work every single day to provide the huge range of essential services needed to keep everyone safe and supplying the necessities of life. Many are parents and the provision of childcare for them is itself an essential service, and that’s why the Government of Alberta is expanding eligibility to ensure the safe and secure childcare they need as we work through the COVID challenge,” he said.

Those facilities will still be limited to 30 people, including staff members. A media release indicated parents should only register for these childcare services if it is the only way they would be able to work.

People who work in areas including public safety, food and shelter, hospitality, energy and transportation will now be eligible for these childcare spots. A list of childcare centres is online at alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx.

Kenney also announced three pieces of legislation would be brought forward to protect the economy and Albertans’ health and safety.

He said that debate on Bill 10, giving law agencies the full authority to enforce public health orders, would seek to have that power extended to municipal bylaw officers through ministerial order.

Bill 11 will legislate last week’s announcement prohibiting people from being charged retroactively for residential rent increases or late fees while there is a state of public health emergency in effect.

“We are working on additional measures to support renters and landlords, both residential and commercial,” Kenney said.

He also spoke about Bill 12, the proposed bill that would enable expanded, delegated authority for the Orphan Well Association to maintain and manage orphan sites. The Alberta government would bring $100 million to that effort.

“The last measure is a critical part of our efforts to keep as many Albertans as possible working and keep our economy moving, as we face a double wammy of a global recession and the collapsing energy prices,” the premier said.