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Watch this page throughout the day for updates on COVID-19 in Calgary
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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 had an upcoming surgery postponed? Do you have a family member in the ICU, or have you recovered after spending time in the ICU? 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.
Have you purchased a home during the pandemic? Our business reporter Amanda Stephenson would like to talk with you about the surging real estate market. You can reach her at astephenson@postmedia.com.
Read our ongoing coverage of personal stories arising from the pandemic.
Kenney to field questions on new COVID rules, looming hospital crisis
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and key members of his United Conservative cabinet are to provide more details and answer questions this morning on new COVID-19 health restrictions.
Kenney introduced tougher rules last night but didn’t take questions from reporters.
The changes include closing schools to in-person learning on Friday and ordering barbershops, hair salons and restaurant patios to shut down as of Sunday.
The premier’s director of communications tweeted yesterday that the press conference is expected to happen at 10 a.m. Watch for a livestream of it on this page.
Read more.
AHS orders Trolley 5 to close down enclosed patio
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An Alberta Health Services inspector ordered a popular 17th avenue SW establishment to shut down its outdoor patio on Tuesday because of sheltering put up around it.
A written inspection posted by AHS says Trolley 5 restaurant was providing food and beverage “in an indoor space.”
“The space in question is enclosed by 3 walls and a roof and is therefore not considered outdoors as defined in CMOH order 12-2021,” reads the inspector’s report. “This distinction was clearly communicated to the owner at a previous inspection.”
Trolley 5 was ordered to halt its dine-in service immediately.
Under new COVID-19 restrictions announced yesterday, all restaurants must cease patio service as of midnight on Sunday.
Trudeau tells Canadians to get vaccinated as soon as possible to end pandemic
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed vaccinations are the only way for Canada to return to normal Tuesday, but did not directly contradict the advice of an expert panel that said Canadians should wait for an mRNA vaccine if they can.
On Monday, the National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) said that while the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were effective they should only be used in people over 30 due to a rare blood clot risk.
NACI also advised Canadians who can wait to hold out for an mRNA vaccine, like Pfizer or Moderna, because they were more effective and did not come with the same blood clot risk.
But critics accused NACI of sowing anxiety and confusion with recommendations that conflicted with Health Canada, who advises that AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson can be given to anyone over 18.
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Tuesday
Kenney announces sweeping restrictions; all students moving to online learning, restaurants to close patios
Premier Jason Kenney announced sweeping new restrictions meant to slow the rapid transmission of COVID-19 across the province Tuesday evening, including the transition to food take-out service only, closure of personal care services and a shift to online learning for all students.
With more than 23,000 active cases in Alberta and the highest case rate per population in the country, Kenney said the province has entered a critical stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to restaurants, care services and in-person learning, the restrictions are also tightened for retail, outdoor social gatherings, places of worship and funerals.
“Let me be clear, we will not permit our health care system to be overwhelmed. We must not, and will not force our doctors and nurses to decide who gets care, and who doesn’t,” said Kenney during a live speech on Tuesday.
“That is why we must act now to stop the spike.”
Read more.
Tuesday
Hundreds attend ‘freedom rally’ outside of McDougall Centre
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Tuesday
New restrictions: K-12 to move online, restaurant patios to close
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced new public health restrictions on Tuesday.
Starting tomorrow:
- Workplaces with outbreaks of three or more cases will be required to close for 10 days, “except work camps and essential and critical services”
- Post-secondary learning must move online
- Retail limited to 10% of fire code
- Outdoor gatherings limited to five people
- Places of worship limited to 15 people
- Funerals limited to 10 people
- Indoor fitness must close
Starting Friday:
- All K-12 students to move to at-home learning until after May 25
Starting Monday:
- Personal and wellness services (barbers, nail salons, tanning salons) will close
- Restaurant patios to close, limited to takeout
- Outdoor sports limited to household only
- Health services (physicians, dentists, chiropractors, massage therapists) can remain open by appointment only
- Indoor sports and performance activity prohibited
- Professional sports with exemptions can continue
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Kenney will hold a press briefing on Wednesday morning to address the new restrictions with Health Minister Tyler Shandro, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange and Justice Minister Kaycee Madu.
Watch the full livestream below.
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Two units on outbreak at Foothills
There are two units with declared outbreaks at the Foothills Medical Centre, according to Alberta Health Services.
In both units, a single patient has tested positive for COVID-19. The two outbreaks were declared April 13 and May 3.
AHS says that all at-risk patients in the affected units have been tested and that contact tracing is ongoing and that outbreak protocols have been implemented on those units.
Tuesday
1,743 new cases, nine deaths
With Premier Jason Kenney scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. to announce new restrictions, there was no daily update from Dr. Deena Hinshaw on Tuesday. The latest COVID-19 numbers were released online.
- 1,743 new cases on 14,585 tests
- 671 in hospital; 150 in ICUs
- Nine additional deaths; 2,099 total
- 876 additional variant cases identified; variants 62.3% of active cases
- 23,623 active cases; 172,931 recovered
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Tuesday
Vaccine approval too little, too late for teachers, support staff
With less than two months remaining in a stressful, disruptive school year, front-line school staff say this week’s approval to book their vaccinations has arrived too little, too late.
Teachers, educational assistants, caretakers and other front-line staff working with children were able to start booking for their first vaccine doses on Tuesday.
But after union leaders had been asking school staff be prioritized for months, they’re frustrated they did not get approval until now, as Alberta tops the country for COVID cases per capita.
Read more.
Tuesday
GraceLife lawyer argues ticket came in response to sermon critical of government, health officials
Lawyers representing the Edmonton-area pastor charged with breaching COVID-19 restrictions argue officials chose to ticket him only after he gave a sermon critical of government and health authorities.
James Kitchen, a lawyer with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, argued that in addition to infringing on Coates’ religious liberties, the COVID restrictions impacted Coates’ right to freedom of expression.
Read more.
Tuesday
Hope for return to normal pre-pandemic life in 2021 fading among Albertans: poll
A powerful third wave of variant-driven COVID-19 is dimming hopes among many Albertans of a return to normal life before the end of the year, suggests a new poll.
The online survey by pollster ThinkHQ Public Affairs of 1,172 Albertans between April 20-23 shows a large plurality – 46 per cent – believe public health restrictions won’t end until the end of 2021.
Nearly as many, 44 per cent, expect the pandemic to effectively end next year.
That compares with just 20 per cent looking forward to a return to normal life by the end of October and 10 per cent by late August – a far cry from Premier Jason Kenney’s motivational mantra of securing “the best summer ever” for Albertans.
Read more.
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