More than 300 people have now been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Alberta.
Dr Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health for Alberta, announced a further 42 cases confirmed in the province today (March 23).
That brings the total to 301, with up to 24 suspected to have come from community transmission.
Eighteen of those cases have been hospitalized, seven are in ICUs and there have been no additional deaths.
Alberta Health's page shows two cases in Jasper, the same as yesterday, but there is one new case in Hinton.
This news comes the same day as a new approach to testing COVID-19 was announced in the province.
The new approach will prioritize groups at highest risk of local exposure and at-risk populations is being implemented in Alberta.
鈥淐hanging our testing protocols will allow us to focus Alberta鈥檚 testing capacity on those most at risk," said Hinshaw.
"Our new approach reflects the fact that the most important thing anyone can do if they have mild symptoms isn鈥檛 to get tested 鈥� it鈥檚 to stay home and self-isolate.鈥�
Travellers who returned to Alberta after March 12 and have mild symptoms will no longer be tested for COVID-19.
Instead, the same advice applied to all Albertans will apply to them 鈥� to self-isolate at home and away from others.
This change is effective going forward, so anyone who has already been told by Health Link that they will be tested will still get tested.
Testing will be prioritized for the following individuals, if they are symptomatic:
- People who are hospitalized with respiratory illness.
- Residents of continuing care and other similar facilities.
- People who returned from travelling abroad between March 8 and March 12 (before the self-isolation protocols were in place.
- Health-care workers with respiratory symptoms (this testing will begin later this week).
Anyone with symptoms who does not fit any of these categories should stay home and self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of their symptoms, or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.
If you have symptoms, take the or call 811.
