Alberta
Alberta reports second COVID-19 death. Three Red Deer doctors test positive after working with dozens of patients. Outbreak at Calgary long-term care facility
From the Province of Alberta
Update 11: COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta (March 24 at 5:30 p.m.)
A second Albertan has died. 57 additional cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. Total number of cases in the province is 358.
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:
- 214 cases in the Calgary zone
- 86 cases in the Edmonton zone
- 20 cases in the North zone
- 28 cases in the Central zone
- Eight cases in the South zone
- Two cases where the zone is still under investigation
- Of these cases, 19 have been hospitalized, seven have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU), and two patients have died.
- Up to 28 of these cases may be due to community transmission.
- A COVID-19 outbreak was confirmed last night at the McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre in Calgary.
- This has resulted in one death of a resident – the second COVID-19 related death in the province. The individual was a female in her 80s. She developed symptoms on March 22 and died March 23.
- One staff member and two other residents have tested positive.
- There are 11 other symptomatic residents with tests pending.
- The source of the infection is not yet known.
- 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 ca/covid19statistics.
- All Albertans who have travelled outside of the country, including snowbirds returning home from wintering in the United States and other countries, must go straight home upon returning to Alberta and self-isolate for 14 days.
- This means not going to the grocery store, not stopping at the kennel to pick up their dog, not dropping their RV off for service or storage, and not having family and friends over to visit or going to visit them while isolated. It means going directly and immediately home, self-isolating for 14 days and monitoring for symptoms.
- If symptoms do develop, individuals must self-isolate from all other members of their household for an additional 10 days from the beginning of symptoms or until they are feeling well, whichever takes longer.
- People not experiencing symptoms are reminded they can still go outside, but this must be limited to activities such as walks, where the individual remains two metres away from others.
- A bonspiel event was held in Edmonton March 11 to 14, during which some physicians were exposed to COVID-19.
- All attendees have been contacted and are self-isolating.
- Twelve of the 47 Alberta health-care workers who attended the event have tested positive for COVID-19.
- All of their close contacts from the time they had symptoms, including some patients, are being notified as usual through local public health followup.
- Three of the infected individuals are physicians working in Red Deer.
- From these three cases, although they each worked less than a day while symptomatic, a total of 58 patients and 97 other health-care workers have been or will be contacted as potential close contacts of these three.
- All Albertans need to work together to help prevent the spread and overcome COVID-19.
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.
Access to justice
Albertans are asked to not enter courthouses unless they have official business and to first check online for current processes.
Provincial Court of Alberta
Many youth criminal, criminal and family matters are postponed, and the number of operational courthouses and courtrooms is reduced. More information: https://www.albertacourts.ca/pc/resources/covid
Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal will hear matters by video or teleconference. Changes have been made to filing procedures, timelines and bail check-ins. More information: https://www.albertacourts.ca/ca/publications/announcements/notice-to-public-and-profession—covid-19
Court of Queen’s Bench
The Court of Queen’s Bench will now allow lawyers to e-file documents. More information: https://www.albertacourts.ca/qb/resources/announcements/email-filing-of-court-documents
Information about charitable gaming proceeds
Charitable groups can access information about how charitable gaming proceeds may be used during the pandemic. Contact aglc.ca for more information.
Ongoing compliance checks for bars and nightclubs
AGLC inspectors have visited 953 licensed bars and nightclubs throughout the province since March 17 and are taking enforcement action, including suspending licences, on any licensees that violate current orders to close.
Seniors facilities limiting visitation
Seniors facilities are receiving social isolation and distancing information, and stronger restrictions are being put in place for visitors to long-term and seniors care facilities. Essential visitors will be restricted to a single individual who can be family, a friend, or a paid companion who provides care and companionship necessary for the well-being of the resident (physical and mental health) and/or a single designated visitor for a person who is dying, as long as only one visitor enters the facility at a time. Every visitor will undergo a health screening.
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.
Alberta’s government is working with municipalities to tackle social disorder arising from the fentanyl crisis by aligning community peace officers with local police.
Enhancing law enforcement coordination between the province and municipalities is crucial to strengthening enforcement efforts in the ongoing fight against fentanyl and the illicit drug trade. A more unified response among law enforcement agencies is crucial to effectively and efficiently addressing the fentanyl crisis and its devastating effects on Albertans.
At the request of the provincial government, more than 800 community peace officers from 34 large- and mid-sized municipalities will immediately begin coordinating operations with local police to more effectively combat social disorder stemming from the use of illicit drugs, including deadly fentanyl.
“We know a law enforcement presence will make a difference. Fentanyl continues to endanger the lives of Albertans and is devastating to families and communities. Crisis demands immediate and unified action. By aligning the efforts of community peace officers and local police, we are ensuring a coordinated, team response to combat the illicit drug trade to improve public safety. When community peace officers and local police work together in integrated street patrols, we create a visible and unified front against crime.”
“It takes a team effort to tackle the fentanyl crisis. Every level of government has a role to play. Working together with our municipal partners will ensure we can address this crisis, improve public safety for Albertans and combat fentanyl, which has destroyed families and livelihoods.”
Unifying the operational command of community peace officers under the leadership of municipal police services and the RCMP in the fight against fentanyl will make strides towards safer Alberta communities. Additionally, an increase in law enforcement boots on the ground on Alberta streets will create the operational consistency needed to more effectively combat illicit drugs, crime and social disorder. Closer operational alignment between police and community peace officers is a key part of the Alberta government’s approach to confronting urgent public safety issues with strong, cohesive law enforcement across all Alberta municipalities.
This measure is in response to the province stepping up to work collaboratively across all levels of government to address concerns around fentanyl trafficking and border security. Given the complexity and severity of these issues, municipalities have been asked to implement operational alignment to their community peace officer programs immediately. Alberta’s government appreciates the support of municipalities to tackle these growing concerns together through swift and collaborative action.
“Tackling the fentanyl crisis is critical for supporting healthy communities, and for defending Canada’s economic interests during tariff negotiations. Edmonton has been building a collaborative public safety environment for a long time, and we will continue to look for opportunities to collaborate to keep our city safe.”
“Calgary is fully aligned with the province in tackling the complex and devastating drug crisis, and we have led the way with a strong, unified response for the last several years. We recognize the severity of this issue and the critical need for continued collaboration and coordination between Calgary Police Service and our Community Peace Officers. Our integrated approach has amplified our collective impact on public safety.”
Visible officer presence matters and by having community peace officers and municipal police work together in integrated operations, Alberta’s government is bolstering the law enforcement presence that effectively deters criminals and illegal activity. When community peace officers and municipal police work together in integrated street patrols, it will create a visible and unified front against crime.
“The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Province of Alberta to aggressively address the urgent challenges related to fentanyl use/trafficking, including the increased crime and disorder associated with it. The AACP supports strong collaboration and cooperation between the police of jurisdiction and municipal peace officers in an integrated response to public safety concerns. The AACP remains steadfast in its commitment to working together on pressing public safety issues.”
“Alberta Municipalities is pleased to work with the provincial government on this important initiative. Our member communities welcome the opportunity to contribute to a unified approach to tackling drug trafficking and drug use.”
“Alberta’s mid-sized cities are proud to participate in this joint effort. By enhancing law enforcement coordination, we are confident we will create a more effective system that keeps our communities and citizens safe while making real progress on reducing crime and social disorder. We thank the Government of Alberta for working side-by-side with municipalities and ensuring close collaboration on the issues that matter most to our residents.”
The province will monitor the effectiveness of these changes in improving public safety to ensure the best path forward.
Quick facts:
- In mid-February, the minister of public safety and emergency services sent formal letters to 34 municipalities requesting that they immediately begin working with police leadership to align or unify the operational command of their community peace officer programs under the leadership of their police of jurisdiction.
- Municipalities were requested to implement these changes by Feb. 24, 2025.
- There are currently 806 peace officers employed in large and mid-sized municipalities across Alberta.
News release from the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton
Pope Francis has appointed Most Reverend Richard W. Smith as the next Archbishop of Vancouver. The Vatican made the announcement earlier today.
“I am grateful to His Holiness for the confidence placed in me to assume this new mission, and ask for the assistance of your prayers,” Archbishop Smith said in a letter to the clergy and the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
“By God’s grace, I have had the extraordinary privilege to serve as your Bishop for nearly eighteen years. I am thankful beyond words for the many occasions we have had to work together in our portion of the Lord’s vineyard. Within my heart I hold a particular appreciation for the priests, deacons, and consecrated women and men with whom I have enjoyed a close collaboration.”
Archbishop Smith will remain in office until his formal installation, which will likely take place in the latter part of May. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
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