During the November 18th COVID-19 update, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hinshaw announced that AHS is working to increase space in intensive care to accommodate the influx of patients requiring intensive care for COVID-19. However, the expanded space does come at a cost to those who may require other medical attention. 

“AHS has the ability to create temporary ICU in space in spaces that would otherwise be used to care for patients who have conditions requiring specialized care such as cardiac units post-operative recovery areas and other areas able to support ventilators and cardiac monitoring,” explained Dr. Hinshaw.

As many areas have seen enough growth in cases call for enhanced watch measures, Dr. Hinshaw said she has heard reports of sporting teams and other community gatherings finding loopholes in the new measures for enhanced watch areas.  

“I have seen examples of fitness studios running classes with a video rather than an instructor. Some team sport practices have continued by moving to a neighbouring community’s rink, some teams continue to socialize together simply because they’re in a cohort as a team,” said Hinshaw. 

Additionally, there is an amount of disbelief Albertans are experiencing around the length of time that the enhanced measures will be in effect. 

“The intent of these measures is to facilitate a two-week hard stop of all activity that can provide opportunity for large scale COVID spread. I have heard people say that while we have communicated this is just for two weeks, they believe it will last longer so they don’t want to comply,” said Dr. Hinshaw. 

In Central Alberta, the Ponoka County, the Lacombe County, the City of Lacombe, the City of Red Deer and Mountain View County continue to be under enhanced watch. 

Since cases have been rising in Alberta, the province has also seen a rising number of deaths due to the virus. 

“Almost a quarter of all of our COVID-19 deaths have happened since November 1st. If we do not change our trajectory, the implications are grim,” added Hinshaw. 

The doctor says just about one in three cases are now getting sick from unidentifiable sources. 

As of November 15th, AHS has linked COVID cases to the following scenarios: 

  • 40 per cent  are linked to a household or social gathering or private event
  • 10 per cent are linked to continuing care facilities
  • 4 per cent are linked to childcare or K to 12 schools 
  • 3 per cent are linked to acute care outbreaks 
  • 30 per cent are linked to unknown sources

November 18th new case numbers:

  • 730 new cases of the virus in the last 24 hours
  • 10,057 active cases in Alberta
  • 268 people are hospitalized with COVID-19
  • 57 people have been admitted to ICU’s with COVID-19
  • 30,464 total recovered cases
  • 11 new deaths in the last 24 hours
  • 432 total deaths from the virus

Active case numbers in the Central Alberta area:

  • 12 active cases in Lacombe County
  • 17 active case in the City of Lacombe
  • 109 active cases in the City of Red Deer
  • 14 active cases in Red Deer County
  • 93 active cases in Ponoka County
  • 9 active cases in the Town of Sylvan Lake
  • 1 active cases in Stettler County
  • 13 active case in Mountain View County

*Not all cases in the Central Zone have been included.