COVID-19 Live Updates: News on coronavirus in Calgary for March 26

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With news on COVID-19 happening rapidly, we’ve created this page to bring you our latest stories and information on the outbreak in and around Calgary.

What’s happening now

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My COVID Story: How have you been impacted by coronavirus?

Postmedia is looking to speak with people who may have been impacted by COVID-19 here in Alberta.  Have you undergone a travel-related quarantine? Have you received your vaccine, and if so did you feel any side effects? Have you changed your life for the better because of the pandemic? Send us an email at reply@calgaryherald.com to tell us your experience, or send us a message via this form.

Read our ongoing coverage of personal stories arising from the pandemic.

Pharmacies in and around Calgary offering COVID-19 vaccine

This map shows 53 pharmacies in Calgary, Chestermere and Airdrie offering the COVID-19 vaccine. More locations will be added in the coming days, according to the provincial government. Appointments are still required and can be booked by contacting the participating pharmacies. Details on eligibility and booking can be found here.

Thursday

Joey Eau Claire patrons question lack of transparency, contact tracing in COVID-19 outbreak

The number of COVID-19 cases linked to a Calgary restaurant outbreak has climbed to 34 as patrons who dined there say they were never called for contact tracing.

Alberta Health confirmed Thursday three new cases tied to the Joey Eau Clare outbreak. The number of cases determined to be variants of concern remains at 18.

Many diners who ate at the restaurant unaware of the outbreak are now asking why they weren’t warned.

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Thursday

Canada’s Moderna shipment of nearly 600,000 doses delayed into next week

The planned shipment of 846,000 doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to Canada this week will come up short.

The government was expecting the shipment this week as part of the company’s commitment to deliver two million doses of the vaccine in the first quarter. Earlier this week, the company delivered part of that shipment, 255,600 doses, and was expected to complete the shipment on Saturday, but that will now be delayed into next week.

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Thursday

Researcher says Alberta could see 1,000 daily cases by mid-April as variant rates rise

Alberta could see the same number of new COVID-19 cases by mid-April as there were at the height of the second wave in December, according to a University of Calgary researcher.

Modelling by developmental biologist Gosia Gasperowicz shows the number of variant cases are doubling faster than just over a week ago, meaning there could be twice as many variant cases every seven to nine days instead of every 11 to 12 days. The U.K. variant B.1.7.7. could become the dominant strain in the province by the beginning of next month and, with its rapid rate of growth, there could be 1,000 new COVID-19 cases every day by mid-April, and 4,000 a day by May if no restrictions are brought in.

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Kinjo Westhills closes after COVID-19 case

Kinjo Sushi & Grill is temporarily closing its Westhills location after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

In a Thursday Facebook post, the restaurant said a staff member was immediately sent home after they were notified they were a close contact of a positive case on March 22. They received a COVID-19 test and were informed they tested positive on March 25.

The restaurant will be closed indefinitely for “deep cleaning and disinfection,” the restaurant said, and all staff members at the location will take a COVID-19 test.

“We will be working closely with AHS and make sure that we follow their advice and guidelines for a safe relaunch,” the Facebook post read.

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Thursday

COVID-19 case count hits two-month high, but no plans for tighter school restrictions post-spring break: Hinshaw

Despite continually climbing COVID-19 case numbers, the province doesn’t plan on imposing virtual schooling following upcoming spring break, Alberta’s top doctor said Thursday.

On Thursday, the province said 764 new infections had been recorded the previous day, the largest number since Jan. 14, though that came from a relatively large number of tests — more than 14,000.

And while those numbers climb, along with new variant cases that numbered 191, there won’t be any change in course in the province’s schools for now, said Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

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Thursday

Rising variant cases top of mind as schools head into spring break

As families prepare for spring break, concerns are being raised around rising COVID variants and public schools not taking positive case notifications from parents over the 10-day vacation.

Alberta has seen record highs in COVID variants all week, confirming 1,400 active cases Thursday, and renewing calls for increased safety in overcrowded schools.

And a letter sent to parents with the Calgary Board of Education this week says they do not need to contact schools if their child receives a positive COVID-19 result over the break, March 27 to April 6, explaining Alberta Health Services will do the contact tracing.

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Thursday

Alberta has spent $15.4 million on COVID-related advertising

The province has spent around $15.4 million COVID-related advertising, according to Alberta Health.

In a Thursday news release, Alberta Health said the $15.4 million has been spent on online display, social media, television, radio, billboards and print and “have exceeded the scope and reach of any previous Alberta government advertising campaigns.”

The advertising includes information about public health measures, mental health resources, supports for seniors, testing, and the contact tracing app, and regional ads aimed at specific communities and the COVID loves campaign.

Thursday

14 mask tickets issued in the last week

Fourteen more tickets for failing to wear a face mask where required have been issued by the city in the last week, according to the latest update from the City of Calgary on COVID-19 enforcement measures.

There have been 318 such tickets issued since the city enacted a mask bylaw on Aug. 1, 2020.

There were no additional tickets issued under the Public Health Act, the city said Thursday. Last week, there were six issued, including two to Fairview Baptist Church, which had been hosting weekly Sunday gatherings over the current restricted capacity for faith-based organizations.

The city has issued 204 total tickets under the Public Health Act since Nov. 24, 2020.

Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw was asked Thursday whether or not the province was considering following British Columbia in increasing the fines for violations of public health restrictions. B.C. announced today that fines for hosting and attending non-compliant gatherings or events will be more than doubled, from $230 to $575.

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Hinshaw said that while there have been several high profile cases of organizations or individuals ignoring public health restrictions, the majority of Albertans have followed them.

“The vast majority of Albertans continue to put their communities first, their neighbours first and make the choices that keep all of us safe,” she said. “As we’re looking at the ways to ensure that Albertans who are feeling tired of the rules and maybe inclined to leave them aside, what are the best ways to encourage them to continue making the right choice, we’ll have to look at a multitude of options to determine what would be most successful in bringing the most people along with us to protect our communities together.”

Thursday

764 new cases, three deaths

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw provided an update on COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon.

• 764 new cases on 14,062 tests; 5.4% positivity rate
• 294 in hospital; 55 in ICUs
• Three additional deaths; 1,976 total
• 6,835 active cases; 135,500 recovered
• 191 new variant cases; variants are 21% of active cases
• Active alerts or outbreaks in 365 schools
• Around 532,000 doses of vaccine administered

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