During the May 25th Alberta COVID-19 update, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw discussed the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across the province and how the distribution will be changing to better protect those at higher risk within the province. 

“As Alberta moves forward with our relaunch efforts the need for PPE to protect vulnerable Albertans remains paramount. This is why the Alberta Government is keeping key groups as a priority while we change our distribution process,” said Dr. Hinshaw  

In some scenarios, there will be no changes to the distribution of PPE. 

“There will be no changes in the provincial PPE supply for hospitals and clinics operated by Alberta Health Services, continuing care facilities, supportive living facilities, and home care services which are operated or contracted by Alberta Health Services, publicly funded lodges, mental health housing, residential addiction treatment facilities, shelter operators, and police, fire, and emergency medical services,” explained Dr. Hinshaw. 

Some exceptions will be made for dentists, morticians, and private organizations. 

“N95 masks will be provided at a fee to dentists for emergency procedures only and to morticians for embalming procedures for the duration of global N95 shortages requests will be managed through the professional associations,” added Dr. Hinshaw. 

Private organizations can continue to access PPE through the government at the market price until June 30th. Following June 30th, private organizations will need to find their own suppliers of PPE. 

Dr. Hinshaw says the decision was not made lightly and was made in line with what other provinces are doing. Despite the new precautions, Alberta is not running out of PPE but creating a long term and flexible plan to manage whatever unknowns are to come in the future. 

The new distribution of PPE will not affect the Premier’s promise to distribute non-medial masks to the public. Dr Hinshaw says more information will be available shortly regarding the Premier’s promise. 

The next availability with Dr. Deena Hinshaw will be on Wednesday, May 27th. 

For more information on COVID-19, click here. 

May 25th new case numbers:

  • 19 new cases of the virus
  • 762 active cases in Alberta
  • 45 people are hospitalized with COVID-19
  • 5 people have been admitted to ICU’s with COVID-19
  • 5,979 total recovered cases
  • 3 new deaths in the last 24 hours
  • 138 total deaths from the virus
  • 3,010 tests completed in the last 24 hours 
  • 239,799 tests have been performed in total

Central Alberta shows the following case numbers, available at alberta.ca.

  • City of Lacombe: 2 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 2 recovered
  • Lacombe County: 3 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 3 recovered
  • Red Deer County: 16 total cases
    • 1 active
    • 15 recovered
  • City of Red Deer: 37 total cases 
    • 1 active
    • 35 recovered 
  • Sylvan Lake: 3 total cases
    • 0 active cases
    • 3 recovered 
  • Ponoka County: 3 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 3 recovered
  • County of Wetaskiwin: 0 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 0 recovered
  • City of Wetaskiwin: 8 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 8 recovered
  • County of Stettler: 2 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 2 recovered
  • Mountain View County: 9 total cases
    • 2 active
    • 7 recovered