Alberta COVID-19 update: Fines. Forming an ‘Isolated Group’ with a second household. Financial relief.

Update 12: COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta (March 25)

Sixty-one additional cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 419.

Aggressive public health measures continue to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Latest updates

Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
- 250 cases in the Calgary zone
- 100 cases in the Edmonton zone
- 23 cases in the North zone
- 35 cases in the Central zone
- 10 cases in the South zone
- One case where the zone is still under investigation
Of these cases, 20 are currently hospitalized of which eight have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU).
In total, 24 people have been hospitalized and two patients have died.
Up to 33 of the 419 cases may be due to community transmission.
A COVID-19 outbreak was confirmed March 24 at the Nelson Home, a Calgary group home for persons with developmental disabilities. A caseworker and two residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and two other residents are symptomatic. All individuals are self-isolating.
To date, nine cases have been identified in continuing care facilities, including one case in Rosedale on the Park and two at Shepherd’s Care Kensington Campus, both in the Edmonton zone.
The number of confirmed recovered cases remains at three. A longer-term process for determining timely reporting of recovered cases is underway.
Aggregate data, showing cases by age range and zone, as well as by local geographical areas, is available online at alberta.ca/covid19statistics.
All Albertans need to work together to help prevent the spread and overcome COVID-19.

Enforcement of public health orders

Public health orders will now be enforced by law to protect the health and safety of Albertans. Fines for violating an order have increased to a prescribed fine of $1,000 per occurrence. Courts will also have increased powers to administer fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations. These new fines will be in force over the coming days.

Public health orders will include mandatory self-isolation for travellers returning from outside of Canada for 14 days, plus an additional 10 days from the onset of any symptoms should they occur, whichever is longer.
This legal requirement also applies to close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases, as well as to any individual with COVID-19 symptoms, which consist of a cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat.
Orders regarding restrictions around mass gatherings, public recreational facilities, private entertainment facilities, and visitations to long-term care and other continuing care facilities are also enforceable, along with any future public health orders.

Emergency isolation supports

Emergency isolation supports are now available for Albertans who are self-isolating or who are the sole caregivers for someone in self-isolation, and have no other source of income. Applicants can view eligibility criteria and apply at alberta.ca.

Community and social services

Funding criteria and forms for the emergency funding to charities, non-profits and civil society organizations are now posted online.

The Emergency Financial Assistance web page now includes information on the federal and provincial supports/programs and a link to the COVID-19 page for more information.

Community and Social Services has suspended in-person service delivery in its program offices and Alberta Supports Centres. Albertans should contact 1-877-644-9992 for more information.

Offers of help

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency Unsolicited Offers Program has been set up in response to growing offers of generosity from individuals and organizations to help with the challenges many Albertans are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those wanting to help can go to alberta.ca/COVID19offersprogram for more information.

Quick facts

The most important measures that Albertans can take to prevent respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, is to practise good hygiene.
- This includes cleaning your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your face, coughing or sneezing into your elbow or sleeve, disposing of tissues appropriately, and staying home and away from others if you are sick.
Anyone who has health concerns or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should complete an online COVID-19 self-assessment.
For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, visit alberta.ca/COVID19.

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Vegas dominates St. Louis 6-4, one win from West’s top seed

Published on August 6, 2020

The Canadian Press

EDMONTON — Mark Stone scored the go-ahead goal on a deflection with under 7 minutes left, and the Vegas Golden Knights took a big step toward clinching the top seed in the Western Conference by beating the St. Louis Blues 6-4 in round-robin play Thursday night.

Vegas would be the West’s No. 1 seed with a win against Colorado on Saturday. The team that went to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final and was eliminated after a questionable call in Game 7 against San Jose looks capable of winning it all.

“We came into Edmonton wanting to play our best hockey, whether that got us three wins or no wins,” Stone said. “So long as we’re playing well, we feel confident against anyone.”

Despite leading the conference when the NHL season was shut down in March, defending champion St. Louis can finish no higher than third and needs to beat Dallas on Sunday to avoid the No. 4 seed.

“I don’t know if we thought it was going to be easy coming in here for these round-robin games,” Blues coach Craig Berube said. “Our compete level has to come way up. … We have to get to another level Sunday.”

The Golden Knights dominated the Blues in each team’s second game, outshooting them 38-17. St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington was sharp early and made 32 saves but wound up getting shelled.

Alex Tuch and Shea Theodore each scored twice for Vegas, while defenceman Zach Whitecloud and Stone added a goal each. Tuch also had an assist on Whitecloud’s goal.

After Robin Lehner won Vegas’ first game against Dallas, Marc-Andre Fleury was solid in making 13 saves against St. Louis.

“Tonight never really felt in doubt,” Stone said. “I thought we played as good a 60 minutes as we could.”

Like the East’s top-seeded Boston Bruins, who they beat in the 2019 Cup Final, the Blues have some work to do before moving into an elimination series. They got two goals from defenceman Colton Parayko, David Perron’s second in two games and one from Troy Brouwer, who was inserted into the lineup amid several injuries.

NOTES: Scoring forward Vladimir Tarasenko, forward Robert Thomas and defenceman Carl Gunnarsson were all scratched for the Blues. Berube said Tarasenko’s absence was precautionary. … Max Pacioretty was again out for the Golden Knights. … Neither Ryan Reaves nor Lehner took a knee during the anthems after doing so before the Dallas game.

___

For more AP NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Associated Press

Alberta

Alberta jury trials to resume next month at offsite locations due to COVID-19

Published on August 6, 2020

The Canadian Press

EDMONTON — The Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta says jury selection and jury trials will resume next month, but most won’t be in courtrooms.

The court says on its website that proceedings will start Sept. 8, after they were postponed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most courtrooms and jury deliberation rooms, including the Edmonton Law Courts and the Calgary Courts Centre, are not designed to ensure adequate physical distancing for everyone.

The court says the trials will, for the most part, be held offsite.

It says approximately 12 locations across Alberta may host the trials in halls, hotels and community centres.

Jury summonses are currently being prepared for trials starting in September and will be issued shortly.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2020

The Canadian Press